Summary:

 House Bill 168 requires the Construction Industries Commission, the Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department and trade bureaus to produce cost studies for proposed rules and recommendations that are anticipated to affect the cost of commercial residential construction.  

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 168 adds a new section of the Construction Industries Licensing Act (Act) to require trade bureaus, the commission and the division to produce cost studies for recommended changes to a minimum standard or additional specification made pursuant to Section 60-13-44 NMSA 1978.

A. A trade bureau within its respective jurisdiction shall produce a cost study for recommendations as described and submit the cost study along with the recommendation to the commission and the division. 
B. The commission shall produce a cost study for any rule that is anticipated to affect the cost of commercial or residential construction for which a trade bureau has not already produced a cost study and submit the cost study to the division. 
If the commission or the division changes a minimum standard or additional specification, the commission shall complete a revised cost study for the standard or additional specification and submit the cost study to the division. 
C. A cost study or a revised cost study shall estimate the change to the cost of commercial and residential construction in the state that is anticipated by the proposed change to rules or code. 
D. Beginning July 1, 2025, the commission and the division shall consider a cost study for any:
(1) trade bureau recommendation for a minimum standard or additional specification before   approving the recommendation; and (2) proposed rule that is anticipated to affect the cost of commercial or residential construction. 
E. The commission or division shall provide the cost study along with a proposed rule to the public in accordance with the State Rules Act for review and public comment prior to the rule's adoption, amendment or repeal.