2025 NM Legislative Session

Joint Resolution would allow voters to decide whether to create an independent commission to appoint CYFD leadership

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted 4-3 to advance House Joint Resolution 5 which would allow voters to shift governance of New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) from the Governor to a new, independent Children, Youth and Families Commission.

HJR 5 proposes an amendment to the state's constitution that would create a new commission to appoint CYFD's secretary and leadership, creating more independence and helping reduce turnover at this critical agency.

Legislation would deter shooting threats and vehicle thefts

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee (HJC) advanced two more priority policies that will be considered for inclusion in the House Democrats' integrated public safety package.

House Bill 31 would increase the penalty for making a shooting threat toward a school or public to a fourth-degree felony, aligning it with the state's penalty for bomb threats. It is sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Brian Baca (R-Los Lunas), and Andrea Reeb (R-Albuquerque).

"No child should fear going to school. Unfortunately, shooting threats have become all too common. This bill elevates the penalty for shooting threats to reflect the gravity of these crimes and hold offenders accountable," said bill sponsor Rep. Garratt. "Whether an individual is intending to take lives or just cause fear and panic, we are making clear that we will not tolerate threats of violence in schools and public places."

Veteran Tax Exemption Headed to House Floor

Santa Fe, N.M. – Legislation to improve property tax exemptions for military veterans is now headed to the House Floor after unanimously passing the House Taxation and Revenue Committee today.

House Bill 47 would increase the existing property tax exemption of $4,000 up 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 disabled veteran exemptions going into effect the following year.

Expand Eligibility for the Rural Health Care Practitioner Tax Credit

Two bipartisan bills have been introduced to make New Mexico's tax policy friendlier for health care workers. Both bills are supported by Think New Mexico, which recommended these reforms in its recent report, How to Solve New Mexico's Health Care Worker Shortage.

Senate Bill 295, which would repeal New Mexico's gross receipts tax on medical services, is sponsored by Senator Jeff Steinborn (D-Albuquerque); Senate Minority Leader William Sharer (R-Farmington); and 13 other sponsors.

SANTA FE – Late Tuesday afternoon, Senator Crystal Brantley's (R-Elephant Butte) Senate Bill 51 was advanced by the Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support. The bill seeks to appropriate $3 million to the Local Government's Division of the Department of Finance to fund the construction of cell/radio towers in Luna, Hidalgo, and Doña Ana Counties.

"If you live or have driven through rural New Mexico, you know the struggle," said Senator Brantley. "Connectivity for daily life can be a struggle, so imagine you are in an emergency with no way to contact emergency services. This is a common-sense measure to improve the lives and safety of all New Mexicans in the borderlands, from our law enforcement officers to our families."

The bill now moves to the Senate Finance Committee.

Legislation would help prevent gun violence by keeping firearms
out of the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others

Santa Fe, N.M. – Legislation to enhance New Mexico's "Red Flag Law" is now headed to the House Floor, after passing the House Judiciary Committee (HJC) by a vote of 7 to 4 vote today.

House Bill 12 would make it easier for law enforcement to use the Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Orders to temporarily suspend access to firearms for those deemed a threat to themselves or others. The bill is sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) and Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), and Senators Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) and Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque). It would make the process easier to navigate for both law enforcement and individuals so that it can be more effectively enforced.

Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republicans have unanimously endorsed a proposal introduced by former school board member Senator Craig Brandt, (R-Rio Rancho) that would expand educational opportunities for underprivileged students. Specifically, this proposal seeks to empower at-risk students to select an educational institution that best meets their needs. Eligibility would be extended only to students in low-income households (with incomes at or below 200% of Federal Poverty Rates or roughly $60,000 annually for a family of four).

Senator Brandt has issued the following accompanying statement:

SILVER CITY, NM—WNMU is requesting $8 million of capital outlay funding for construction of a new home for the New Mexico Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, which is dedicated to educating and training New Mexico's early childhood educators.

The new facility will be built on university-owned land off of N. Alabama St., behind the St. Mary's Academy building in Silver City. The first phase of construction was funded with 2023 outlay from the Legislature and through the 2024 General Obligation Bond. The additional funding requested of the Legislature would allow expansion of pre-K programs and student services.