2026 NM Legislative Session

Santa Fe — Military veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and active-duty service members will be honored during Military and Veterans Day at the Legislature on Feb. 3 at the State Capitol.

Presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (NMDVS) in partnership with the New Mexico National Guard (NMNG), the annual event highlights New Mexico's commitment to its military and veteran community. 

SANTA FE — House Republicans have introduced a two-bill housing affordability package focused on helping New Mexico families buy homes and protecting the state's single-family housing market. Because current law limits what legislation can be considered during the session, House Republicans were required to formally request a message from the Governor to allow these proposals to move forward.

The package includes legislation (HB 176) sponsored by Rep. Alan Martinez creating an Affordable Housing Fund that would provide zero-percent down payment loans to qualified first-time homebuyers, removing one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.

Santa Fe, NM — Today, Senate Bill 17 received a 'Do Pass' recommendation from the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee on a 6-4 party line vote. This controversial and egregiously unconstitutional proposal was met with fierce opposition from Republican committee members. Led by Ranking Member Senator Larry Scott (R-Hobbs), Senators David Gallegos (R-Eunice), Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), and Rex Wilson (R-Ancho) were unified in their 'no' votes. 

SB 17 effectively: 

Grows government control over guns

Burdens small, local gun dealers

Legislation is part of House Democrats' slate of bills to ensure all New Mexicans feel safe in their communities

Santa Fe, N.M. – The Immigrant Safety Act, which would prevent New Mexico state and local governments from contracting with federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, passed the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 7 to 4. House Bill 9  now heads to the House Floor. 

"The Immigrant Safety Act will get our state out of the business of detaining innocent people in deplorable conditions," said lead sponsor Rep. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque). "As the federal government ramps up its draconian mass deportation efforts and as we see horrific violence at the hands of ICE agents in Minnesota, it's more important than ever that we take a stand as a state to say we won't allow this in our backyard." 

Compacts are one piece of the House Democrats' broad slate of legislation this session to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed seven bills to expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico. 

Santa Fe, NM — Today, the New Mexico House Republican Caucus sent a formal letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon warning that Senate Bill 17 is a clear and blatant violation of the Second Amendment.

SB 17 bans firearms that are in common lawful use, prohibits standard-capacity magazines, and outlaws entire classes of firearms based solely on their operating mechanisms. The U.S. Supreme Court has been unequivocal. States cannot ban commonly owned firearms. SB 17 ignores that precedent entirely.

This bill also creates a de facto firearms registry. It forces dealers to collect and retain detailed records on lawful gun owners, mandates ongoing reporting to state agencies, and permanently transfers those records to the state government if a dealer closes. That is government tracking of lawful firearm ownership, and it directly conflicts with constitutional protections.

Santa Fe, NM - Four Republican Senators today introduced a bill to prohibit obscene "punitive damages" payouts to trial lawyers at the expense of patients and doctors.  In 2021, Democrats pushed through damaging increases to the punitive caps on medical malpractice claims, action which has created a crisis in healthcare access for New Mexico families. The legislation introduced today would prohibit the award of punitive damages in medical malpractice cases, a move the sponsors say is critical to stabilizing the state's collapsing healthcare system and prioritizing patients over courtroom profits.

Senators Pat Woods (R-Broadview), Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque), Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho), and Steve Lanier (R-Aztec) introduced their bill, aimed at ending the exodus of medical professionals from New Mexico. That exodus has led to increased wait times for New Mexicans seeking critical medical care. State leaders and doctors are worried that New Mexico's overly litigious posture towards medical professionals is severely impacting the health of vulnerable New Mexicans. 

Seven interstate compact bills head to House floor; legislation to continue state support for ACA subsidies, and recruit and retain providers advance through committee

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives advanced 10 pieces of legislation to improve healthcare access across the state by lowering out-of-pocket costs, expanding access to care, and recruiting and retaining more providers. 

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed seven bills today that would expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate healthcare compacts, which allow states to expedite licensing for qualified healthcare providers who wish to practice in multiple states.