Legislation Report Tuesday, July 1, 2025

 Senate Pre-File Bill 228842 (SPF228842):  This act updates definitions related to off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs), particularly concerning tire specifications, vehicle size, and classification criteria.

 House Bill 6 (HB 6) requires that projects undertaken by a municipality or county through the issuance of industrial revenue bonds pay the prevailing wage and comply with the provisions of Section 13-4-11 NMSA 1978.

 House Bill 11 (HB 11) enacts the Paid Family and Medical Leave act and creates the Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund. HB 11 provides for the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program to pay an eligible applicant a percentage of the employee’s wages to allow to bond with a new child, care for a family member, prepare for and adjust to a spouse’s military deployment or to take action to protect the employee or the employee’s family member from certain forms of violence. HB 11 limits the time allowed for paid family and medical leave. HB 11 provides for the administration of the program by the Workforce Solutions Department. HB 11 creates a temporary advisory committee.

 House Bill 20 (HB 20), relating to economic development, creates the Technology and Innovation Division within the Economic Development Department (EDD), providing powers and duties. HB 20 creates the Technology and Innovation Network Advisory Board. HB 20 enacts the Research, Development and Deployment Fund Act and a related fund. HB 20 provides for match funding for certain projects that promote certain goals, and establishes an application process, eligibility requirements and award terms. HB 20 requires reporting. HB 20 creates the Technology Innovation Prize Program and provides requirements for eligibility and receiving prize money. HB 20 transfers office functions, personnel, money and property to the Technology and Innovation Division. HB 20 repeals Sections 9-15-16 and 9-15 17 NMSA 1978 (being laws 1991, Chapter 21, Sections 21 and 22) to remove obsolete provisions. HB 20 makes appropriations.

 House Bill 33 (HB 33) prohibits the construction of new sources of emissions and activities relating to oil and gas in counties where ozone concentrations are in excess of the primary national ambient air quality standards for ozone.

 House Bill 41 (HB 41) appropriates funds from the Public Project Revolving Fund (PPRF) to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, Local Government Planning Fund, and Cultural Affairs Facilities Infrastructure Fund. The bill allocates $6.25 million, $2 million, and $5 million respectively for Fiscal Year 2026 and subsequent years. Unexpended funds will not revert to the (PPRF).

HB 41 is endorsed by the New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee.

 House Bill 61 (HB 61) amends definitions in the Unfair Practices Act, and civil penalties for violations of that Act are increased.

 House Bill 66 (HB 66) makes changes to workers’ compensation by increasing the amount of money that can be advanced by employers for discovery costs and increasing the maximum amount of attorney fees that can be collected in a workers’ compensation case.

 House Bill 68 (HB 68) requires a one-to-one ratio of apprentice to journeyman for construction industry trades, and requires the Apprenticeship Council to formulate standards to ensure this ratio. Further, it establishes a requirement that apprentices be supervised by certified journeymen.

 House Bill 84 (HB 84) enacts the Free Speech Act, protecting employees’ free speech from captive audience speeches, and provides remedies for violations.

 House Bill 92 (HB 92) appropriates ten million dollars ($10,000,000) to the Department of Environment (NMED) to plan, design and construct projects to improve river, stream and wetland habitat and surface water quality.

 House Bill100 (HB100) relates to property management by exempting services rendered by attorneys a law and contractors in the performance of property management from the provisions of Chapter 61, Article 29 NMSA.

 House Bill 140 (HB 140) adds a definition of hazardous waste constituent to the Hazardous Waste Act. It amends and adds the identification and listing of hazardous
waste constituents to the duties and powers of the Environmental Improvement Board.

 House Bill 141 (HB 141) makes general appropriations and authorizes expenditures by state agencies.

 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.

 House Bill 198 (HB 198) proposes to amend multiple provisions of the Tax Administration Act to modify installment payment agreements, interest calculations on deficiencies and overpayments, and penalties for noncompliance. The bill increases the threshold for public disclosure of installment agreements, raises penalties for failure to pay taxes or file returns, and enhances enforcement measures against tax fraud. HB 198 takes effect on July 1, 2025, with additional provisions effective on January 1, 2026, if passed.

 House Bill 209 (HB 209):  This legislative act mandates the addition of specific content to the New Mexico Sunshine Portal, which will enhance transparency and accountability regarding state funds.

 House Bill 212 (HB 212) enacts the Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act. It prohibits certain products that contain an intentionally added per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance and authorizes the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt rules prohibiting certain products that contain an intentionally added per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance. HB 212 requires disclosure of information and testing of products sold, offered for sale or distributed for sale in this state that contain an intentionally added per- or poly-fluoroalkyl substance. It provides penalties.

 House Bill 218 (HB 218) makes comprehensive changes to various taxation and revenue statutes, including updates to outdated provisions, amendments to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code and the Tax Increment for Development Act to align with destination sourcing, and modifications to tax distribution procedures. The bill increases the threshold for quarterly or semiannual tax filings, grants the Taxation and Revenue Department authority to compromise asserted tax liabilities in cases of refund denials, and increases the public disclosure threshold for installment agreements, abatements, refunds, and credits. It also allows a completed return to serve as a claim for a tax refund and eliminates the requirement for attorney general approval for tax closing agreements exceeding twenty thousand dollars. HB 218 includes various amendments related to tax liens, electronic filing deadlines, oil and gas tax payments, and municipal and county tax distributions. The bill does not specify an effective date and will take effect ninety days after the legislative session ends on June 20, 2025, if passed.

 House Bill 237 (HB 237) establishes a gross receipts tax credit for small businesses with gross receipts of no more than $1,000,000 in the previous calendar year. The bill allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 25% of their gross receipts tax liability, with a maximum credit of $20,000 per year. The credit applies to tax liabilities incurred on or after July 1, 2025, and is available until June 30, 2030. The credit is nonrefundable, but unused amounts may be carried forward to future taxable periods.

 House Bill 276 (HB 276) creates the Public-Private Partnership Fund and the Public-Private Partnership Program; requires the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration, in consultation with the New Mexico Finance Authority, to provide grants to public partners to complete broadband projects and transportation projects; requires rulemaking; allows appropriations from the Public-Project Revolving Fund to be made to the Public-Private Partnership Fund; exempts public-private partnership agreements from the procurement code; and makes an appropriation.

 House Bill 283 (HB 283) relates to public records; HB 283 prohibits anyone from inspecting law enforcement reports in order to solicit victims; enacts a new section of the Inspection of Public Records Act that allows a fee to be charged for requesting public records for a commercial purpose; amends the procedure for a person who was denied a request; requires lawsuits to be filed within two years; and creates and IPRA Task Force.

 House Bill 312 (HB 312):  The Litigation Financing Transparency Act requires greater openness about third-party funding arrangements in lawsuits. It obligates funded parties (and their counsel) to share copies of the agreements and related details with all sides of a case, relevant agencies, and the court. It also restricts what financiers can do, including banning them from controlling a lawsuit or transferring their funding interest. Violations can void the agreements and subject the financiers to penalties under the Unfair Practices Act.

 House Bill 335 (HB 335) enacts the Licensing Time Frames Transparency Act; requires the Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department and local agencies with expressly delegated authority for licensing and permitting to periodically publish a list of the time frames in which licenses, permits or other regulatory approvals have been finally acted upon or have remained pending without final agency action.

 House Bill 342 (HB 342) amends and enacts provisions of the Property Tax Code by modifying valuation limits for residential and nonresidential property, requiring affidavits for certain property transfers, and updating property tax exemptions for veterans in accordance with constitutional amendments approved in the November 2024 general election. The bill also adjusts the compensation of county valuation protests board members, imposes administrative penalties for failing to report property transfers, and eliminates the requirement to mail certain residential classification forms. HB 342 declares an emergency and takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

 House Bill 415, relating to employment law, provides that when the use of earned sick leave is not foreseeable, an employee shall notify the employer orally or in writing pursuant to the written policy of the employer.

 House Bill 425 (HB 425) amends the State Rules Act to require agencies to respond in writing to public comments on a proposed rule before promulgation. The bill mandates that agency responses be published in the New Mexico Register along with the final rule. The measure also establishes specific criteria for agency responses and extends the timeframe for adopting proposed rules. HB 425 takes effect on July 1, 2025.

 House Bill 456 (HB 456):  This legislation raises the monetary thresholds for indefinite-quantity (on-call) architectural/engineering and construction contracts in New Mexico, granting agencies greater leeway to consolidate multiple projects under a single contract. At the same time, it maintains reporting requirements and limits intended to ensure accountability and transparency in the procurement process.

 House Bill 479 (HB 479):  This bill adds a new section to the Uniform Licensing Act restricting how non-physician health care providers who hold doctoral degrees can represent themselves to the public. It seeks to prevent confusion by ensuring that only physicians may use “doctor” without qualification, while non-physicians must clarify the nature of their doctoral credentials.

 House Bill 509 (HB 509) enacts the Transparency in Government Contracting Act (Act); requires certain procedures for providing the public with information on government contracts; provides for the enforcement of the Act; and provides for a directory of information within the sunshine portal.

 House Bill 524 (HB 524) creates a program for the awarding of advance purchase commitments for the purchase, three or more years in the future, of low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder or asphalt mixtures.

 House Bill 560 (HB 560), relating to public education, enacts the Workforce Readiness and Student Engagement Act. HB 560 requires establishment of workforce readiness programs. HB 560 requires evaluation and reports; HB 560 makes an appropriation.

 House Bill 582 (HB 582) enacts a new section of the Construction Industries Licensing Act to require the Construction Industries Division (Division) of the Regulation and Licensing Department to develop and establish statewide procedures and templates for construction projects requiring permit applications; requires authorities with jurisdiction to adhere to the procedures and use the templates established by the Division; requires online electronic application access, completion and submission options; requires specific timelines for decisions for applications submitted electronically and automatic approvals for applications if decisions are not timely issued; limits county or municipality zoning authority over certain developments; and requires rule adoption.

 House Joint Resolution 3 (HJR 3) proposes to amend NM Const. Article 2 by adding a new section that provides the people of the state with environmental rights and directs the state, counties and municipalities to serve as trustees of the state’s natural resources for the benefit of all the people.

 House Resolution3 (HR3) is a Resolution, constituting Articles of Impeachment of Michell Lujan Grisham , Governor and also, being a recitation of the grounds upon which the House of Representatives finds that Michell Lujan Grisham has committed acts that warrant impeachment and trial in the Senate pursuant to Sections 35 and 36 of Article 4 of the Constitution of New Mexico and providing for Notice of Impeachment and the prosecution of impeachment.

 Senate Bill 4 (SB 4) establishes statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits and requires greenhouse gas emissions reporting. SB 4 provides that state agencies apply climate equity principles to policy and rule development and expands the duties and powers of the Environmental Improvement Board. It appropriates three million dollars ($3,000,000).

 Senate Bill 21 (SB 21) enacts the Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act It requires permits for discharges into waters of the United States and for the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules to implement the discharge program. It provides powers and duties of the Department of Environment and for enforcement of the program. It provides for appeals to the Water Quality Control Commission and the court of appeals. SB 21 creates a private right of action and requires for publicly accessible records. 

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
CS/SB 21 SJC alphabetizes and adds definitions to the Water Quality Act. It provides for certain Water Quality Control Commission rules relating to the regulation of water pollution. It creates the Neglected and Contaminated Sites Fund. CS/SB 21 SJC provides for general permit coverage for multiple dischargers. It revises the Water Quality Management Fund and distribution of certain penalties. It allows for the denial of permits that would contribute to water contaminant levels in excess of downstream state or tribal water quality standards and amends notice requirements for Water Quality Act permits. It provides for certain uses of permit fees and amends the purposes of the Water Quality Management Fund. It creates certain exceptions for surface water discharges and addresses potential liability. It enacts the New Mexico Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act and requires permits for discharges into waters of the United States.  CS/SB 21 SJC requires the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules to implement the discharge program and provides powers and duties of the Department of Environment, enforcement of the program, and penalties. It provides for appeals to the Water Quality Control Commission and the court of appeals and for publicly accessible records.   CS/SB 21 SJC declares an emergency.

 Senate Bill 22 (SB 22) alphabetizes and adds definitions to the Water Quality Act and provides for certain Water Quality Control Commission rules relating to the regulation of water pollution. SB 22 creates the Neglected and Contaminated Sites Fund and provides for general permit coverage for multiple dischargers. It revises the Water Quality Management
Fund and distribution of certain penalties and amends the Fund’s purposes. SB 22 allows for the denial of permits that would contribute to water contaminant levels in excess of downstream state or tribal water quality standards. It amends notice requirements for Water Quality Act permits and provides for certain uses of permit fees. It creates certain exceptions for surface water discharges. SB 22 appropriates fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) and declares an emergency.

 Senate Bill 24 (SB 24):  This Act relates to Public Works requiring contributions to apprentice and training programs or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund for all Public Works Construction Projects.

 Senate Bill 59 (SB 59) relates to Public Works, adding off-site fabricators to the Public Works Minimum Wage Act.

 Senate Bill 64 (SB 64) creates in the Public Education Department the Career Development Success Pilot Project and provides for financial incentives to school districts that promote and encourage student enrollment in and successful completion of career development programs. SB 64 provides for the administration of the pilot project and assigns duties to the department. SB 64 requires annual reporting. SB 64 creates the Career Development Success Pilot Project Fund and makes an appropriation.

 Senate Bill 65 (SB 65):  The "Consumer Solar Protection Act" introduced by the New Mexico legislature is a legislative initiative designed to safeguard consumers in the residential solar energy market. This act outlines a framework of regulations for the sale, installation, and financing of residential solar energy systems, aiming to ensure transparency and protect consumer rights.

 Senate Bill 115 (SB 115) authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) to make loans for public projects from the Public Project Revolving Fund. SB 115 declares an emergency and takes effect immediately upon its passage and approval, provided it is passed by a two-thirds vote of each house.

 Senate Bill 125 (SB 125) amends and adds to the Public School Capital Outlay code. SB 125 creates the Building System Innovation Project Initiative to provide grant assistance for the replacement of building systems to extend the useful life of a building and makes conforming amendments to the Public School Capital Outlay Act. SB 125 makes an appropriation.

 Senate Bill 130 in Public Schools code creates career technical education program units and adds the units to the program cost calculation.

 Senate Bill 131 (SB 131) prohibits the adoption of certain rules relating to the production and delivery for sale of zero-emission vehicles.

 Senate Bill 141 (SB 141) proposes amendments to New Mexico’s tax laws, including an increase in the corporate income tax rate, expanded nexus requirements for businesses without a physical presence in the state, and the introduction of a new gross receipts tax deduction for qualifying small businesses. The bill also includes a $100,000 appropriation to the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) to improve tax administration systems to accommodate these changes. SB 141 takes effect on January 1, 2026, with the provisions for corporate income tax rate changes applying to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

 Senate Bill 142 (SB 142) relates to the Grid Modernization Roadmap and Grant Program (GMRGP); requires the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (ENMRD), in consultation with the Public Regulation Commission (PRC), to develop a roadmap for grid modernization; adds school districts and charter schools as eligible locations for proposed projects; amends the definition of "grid modernization"; and makes appropriations.

 Senate Bill 169 enacts the Strategic Economic Development Site Readiness Act and makes an appropriation.

 Senate Bill 206 (SB 206) relates to procurement, increasing minimum amounts for certain local public works projects and state public works projects; modifying payments for certain purchases; increasing small purchase amounts, adding the definition of "public-private partnership agreement" to the procurement code; adding new requirements, exclusions, exemptions and allowances; modifying the bid process; and increasing maximum terms for certain contracts.

 Senate Bill 216 (SB 216) repeals the prohibition on political subdivisions and home rule municipalities from enacting rent control for privately owned real property.

 Senate Bill 225 (SB 225) increases the penalties and fines for various offenses.  SB 225 increases fines for littering, increases hours of community service for committing graffiti, increases the penalty for the improper use of a travel lane, and increases and provides penalties for violations of the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act.

 Senate Bill 241 (SB 241) relates to motor vehicles. SB 241 enacts the Highway Construction Zone Automated Speed Enforcement Act that allows for the use of automatic speed detection devices to detect, issue and enforce civil fines for speeding within construction zones.

 Senate Bill 264 (SB 264) amends various fees and the basis for certain fees; allows for fee increases based on inflation; extends the sunset date of the spay and neuter program fee; repeals certain laws; and makes appropriations.

 Senate Bill 310 (SB 310) relates to zoning. SB 310 eliminates building height restrictions except in historic districts. SB 310 allows development of duplexes and townhouses except in historic districts. SB 310 allowing small scale commercial uses in residential zones.

 Senate Bill 311 (SB 311) relates to metropolitan redevelopment; it gives local governments the power of eminent domain to carry out the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code.

 Senate Bill 312 (SB 312) restricts appeals of decisions of zoning and planning authorities to people who have an ownership interest in the real property that is the subject of the decision or a property that is adjacent to the property that is the subject of the decision.

 Senate Bill 313 (SB 313):  This bill prohibits local governments (cities, counties, or other political subdivisions) from requiring a minimum number of off-street parking spaces for residential, commercial, or industrial properties.

 Senate Bill 317 (SB 317) in Workforce Development creates the Youth Internship Opportunity Program. SB 317 provides for the payment of wages for apprenticeships and internships for sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds. SB 317 makes an appropriation.

 Senate Bill 359 (SB 359) provides a process for removing unlawful occupants of real property from that property; provides a form to request the removal of an unlawful occupant from real property; provides procedures for law enforcement to remove unlawful occupants from real property; prescribes procedures for notice; creates a cause of action for persons who were wrongfully removed from real property; and amends the classification of the crimes of criminal damage to property and fraud.

 Senate Bill 408 (SB 408):  This legislation amends Section 13-1-154.1 NMSA 1978 to increase contract dollar limits and other parameters that apply when state agencies and local public bodies use “on-call” (indefinite quantity) contracts for architectural/engineering (A/E) services and construction.

 Senate Bill 451 (SB 451) amends duties of the Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Department and specifies minimum building code requirements.

 Senate Joint Resolution 4 (SJR 4) proposes to amend NM Const. Article 2 by adding a new section that provides the people of the state with environmental rights and directs the state, counties and municipalities to serve as trustees of the state’s natural resources for the benefit of all the people.