2025 NM Legislative Session

Legislation brings compensation for municipal projects in line with standards for state public works projects

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives voted 41-26 to advance legislation to provide New Mexicans working on publicly-supported projects a competitive, prevailing wage for their work.

House Bill 6 would require contractors, subcontractors, or other companies hired for projects funded by Municipal and County Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) to provide a prevailing wage, meaning workers would receive their industry's established fair wage and standard benefit minimums. This brings compensation for these projects in line with existing standards for the state's public works projects, such as building and road construction.

Legislation would eliminate state income taxes for families making less than $55k a year and expand existing tax cuts to more New Mexicans

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Taxation and Revenue Committee heard House Bill 14, which would expand tax cuts for more working people across New Mexico. HB 14 will now be considered by the Committee for inclusion in an omnibus tax package.

HB 14 is sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo) and House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). The legislation would increase refundable credits for qualifying taxpayers and expand eligibility for those credits, including to single filers without children. It would effectively eliminate state income taxes for New Mexic families making less than $55,000 a year. Significantly expanding eligibility for these tax credits could address the so-called "benefits cliff" issue, where even a slight increase in income can lead to a dramatic loss of eligibility for critical benefits.

Legislation would increase state property tax exemptions for military veterans

Santa Fe, N.M. – Legislation to improve property tax exemptions for military veterans and their surviving spouses is now headed to the Senate after unanimously passing the House of Representatives today.

House Bill 47 would increase the existing property tax exemption of $4,000 to $10,000 and allow additional exemptions for veterans with service-related disabilities. If passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor, the increase would go into effect for the 2025 tax year, with the exemptions for disabled veterans going into effect the following year.

Integrated crime package now moves to the Senate, as additional
public safety and behavioral health measures move through the House

Santa Fe, N.M. – Democratic lawmakers' public safety package is now headed to the Senate after passing the House of Representatives today with a bipartisan vote of 48-20. House Bill 8 incorporates six key public safety proposals into an integrated crime package.

"We worked throughout the interim so we could move quickly in this session to deliver meaningful public safety solutions for communities across our state," said lead sponsor Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos). "The smart, targeted, bipartisan measures in this package are a strong start and will have a real impact on the issues facing New Mexicans every day."

Santa Fe, NM — Each of the sixteen Senate Republicans, alongside all twenty-six House Republicans, have jointly introduced Senate Bill 398, the "Citizen Income Tax Rebate." This measure would annually award eligible New Mexicans a $500 tax rebate for the previous year's income tax filings. This rebate would compound additionally for each of the dependents listed on one's tax filing. For example, a married couple with two children would receive a $2,000 rebate. This measure focuses on returning taxpayer funds from our current $3 Billion budget surplus back to New Mexicans.

Primary sponsors Senator Anthony "Ant" Thornton (R- Sandia Park) and Senator Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho) issued the following statements:

Santa Fe, NM — This afternoon, the New Mexico Senate passed Senate Bills 1, 2, and3 which collectively serve as the largest behavioral health package the state has ever considered. These bipartisan bills represent investments of over $1.2 Billion in behavioral health across New Mexico, with the first $200 Million funding the immediate delivery of substance abuse treatment, homelessness assistance, and more. The remaining $1 Billion will be saved in a trust fund and will not require additional New Mexico taxpayer investments. The annual interest from this fund, when paired with federal matching funds, will produce future funding of approximately $200 Million per year to be utilized throughout the state for various behavioral health initiatives under the supervision of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Legislation creates a trust fund to help New Mexico's children achieve financial independence

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, legislation to provide a head start at financial independence for every child born in New Mexico, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee by a vote of 5-4

House Bill 7: the Children's Future Act and Fund would create a trust fund to provide financial support, also known as "baby bonds," for all individuals born in New Mexico after January 1, 2025. New Mexico children would be able to use the funds for education, housing, or entrepreneurship costs, as well as investment opportunities, upon graduation from high school.

Legislation would enhance independent oversight and increased transparency
to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee (HGEIC) voted unanimously to advance two measures to bring greater transparency and independent oversight to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD).

House Bill 203 would require CYFD workers to retain and back up all electronic records. Maintaining these records is critical for transparency and oversight, particularly in cases where a child is harmed, so processes can be reviewed and potentially improved going forward.