2026 NM Legislative Session

State Rep. John Block:

I want to update you on another consequential week at the Roundhouse—one that underscored just how aggressively far-left lawmakers are pushing to permanently alter New Mexico's governing structure, weaken public safety, and ram through extreme policies with minimal accountability.

Threat to New Mexico's Legislative Structure

On Monday in the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee (HGEIC), we heard House Joint Resolutions 6 and 7—two dangerous constitutional amendments that would annihilate New Mexico's long-standing legislative framework.

Santa Fe, NM - Today, Senate Democrats passed the knowingly unconstitutional Senate Bill 17 in the New Mexico State Senate by a vote of (21-17). Despite fierce debate from Senate Republicans, this measure now advances to the House of Representatives. In an attempt to eliminate the bill's most blatantly unconstitutional section, Republicans proposed to strike section 7 of SB 17– the section that effectively bans most semi-automatic rifles, magazines with a capacity higher than 10 rounds, and all .50 caliber rifles. However, Senate Democrats voted against this measure, ensuring the bill's worst components remained. 

In reaction to the passage of SB 17, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) has issued the following statement: 

Santa Fe, N.M. — New Mexico House Republicans strongly condemn the Senate's passage of SB17, a sweeping and unconstitutional gun control bill that directly attacks the rights of law-abiding citizens, harms small businesses, and does nothing to address violent crime.

SB17 bans multiple types of commonly owned firearms, targets federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs), and places heavy new regulatory burdens on small businesses across the state. The bill also creates a de facto state gun registry, raising serious privacy and constitutional concerns for responsible gun owners.

"Senate Bill 17 is an attack on the Second Amendment and on the law-abiding New Mexicans who follow the rules. This bill punishes responsible citizens and small business owners while doing nothing to stop criminals who ignore the law." - House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong

Santa Fe, N.M. (February 6, 2026) - Joy Garratt's House Bill 253, gutting virtual education for New Mexico, rolled in the House Education Committee after hours of public comment and debate.

Parents opposing the bill packed the committee room and gave passionate public comment to voice their concerns about the bill and its effects on virtual learning students.

"HB 253 as it is currently written does not put the needs of kids and their families first and I strongly advise our legislators to take families more into consideration," said Luke Martz, Parents for School Options New Mexico advocacy director. "The bill's language does not take families' safety concerns into consideration, it doesn't consider students with special needs, and it also sends a message to rural families that the state does not care about them."

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed three important pieces of legislation to support students and teachers and strengthen educational institutions across the state. 

House Bill 8, which passed by a vote of 45-23, creates a first-of-its-kind dedicated funding source for higher education projects. This Higher Education Major Projects Fund would fully fund the UNM School of Medicine expansion, a mixed-use humanities building at NMSU, and student life and housing projects statewide. 

Major Policy win to begin 2026

SANTA FE, N.M. (February 5, 2026) — Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the $1.5 billion State Highway Project Bonds bill (SB2) today, highlighting the growing demand and support for predictable and stable funding for New Mexico's state roads and highways projects, matching funds with the federal government, and maintenance needs. 

Bob Wood, of Albuquerque Asphalt, stood as representative for APANM joined the Governor at today's signing ceremony. 

The bill will not only help create safer roads, but it will also help boost the state's overall economy. Companies hesitant to expand into the state due to its infrastructure will now be at ease, and road workers who have previously had to leave New Mexico to find other jobs can now return home.

The House has now passed 10 interstate compacts, a key component of House Democrats' platform to make healthcare more affordable and accessible 

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 32: the Counseling Licensure Compact and House Bill 33: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to expand access to behavioral and mental healthcare in New Mexico. 

HB 32 and HB 33 round out the list of 10 compact bills introduced this session, all of which have unanimously passed the House, with two signed into law by the Governor this morning (SB 1, HB 50). These important pieces of legislation enter New Mexico into interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico and streamline the licensing process for providers moving here. 

Bipartisan bills address health care access and invest in roads statewide 

SANTA FE -- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today signed four bills that will strengthen New Mexico's infrastructure, expand the state's health care workforce and address concerns about immigrant detention, marking significant progress as the legislative session reaches its halfway point. 

"Halfway through the session, we're showing what's possible when we focus on getting things done for New Mexicans," said Governor Lujan Grisham. "These bills represent major progress on issues that matter to working families, including safer roads, and more doctors and social workers to serve our communities. I look forward to getting even more done with lawmakers during the second half of the session."