2025 Legislative Session
The 2025 regular session ended on March 22, 2025. The Governor had until April 11 to sign bills passed by the legislature. Any bills not signed were pocket vetoed.
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During the 2025 session, 1,182 bills, 44 resolutions, and 102 memorials were introduced by both. The total number of bills passed was 246, the Governor vetoed 17 bills and allowed 18 to be pocket vetoed. Only 162 bills were chaptered--signed into law. HB65 was passed by the legislature, vetoed by the Governor, and the legislature voted to override the veto. According to the Center for Civic Policy, the passage rate was 13.7%, compared to 2023 at 19.4% and 2021 at 17%.​
What Passed and What Didn't
Anti-Donation Clause Bills
The Anti-Donation Clause complicates the state's ability to provide services and work with charitable nonprofits. New Mexico's anti-donation clause has been amended several times. A number of bills were introduced this year. The ones that passed include HM27, Anti-Donation Clause Interim Committee Work, and SB357, Essential Services Development Act. Both are related to enacting the 2022 exemption for essential household services.
HJR11, the joint resolution for a comprehensive change to the Anti-Donation Clause did not make it through the committee process. During the interim, the anti-donation clause working group will map out the references to the Anti-Donation Clause in the constitution, statutes, and administrative guidance. We will be prepared to address these alongside the next joint resolution.​
Nonprofit Related bills
With the exception of HB26, Ticket Resale at State and Nonprofit Events, the other nonprofit related bills were requests for funding to provide services. The budget process is complex. When funding request bills are held in the Houses Appropriations Committee or the Senate Finance Committee, it's not necessarily and indication of their fate. During the final budget negotiations, some of these requests will get funded, though it may not be at the level requested. The budget then requires the Governor's signature and she can line item veto items in the budget.
Public Assistance Related Bills
HB77, Annual Federal SNAP Outreach Plans passed, but was vetoed by the Governor. The baby bond bills did not make it through the legislative process. The concept will be studied during the interim. We can anticipate to see baby bond bills in future sessions.
Housing Related Bills
The budget included a special appropriation for affordable and transitional housing programs. HB571, Building Housing Communities, amends the Affordable Housing Act to include tribal governments. HB571 passed, but was pocket vetoed by the Governor. SB48, Community Benefit Fund, creates a fund for projects to increase energy efficiency or address the effects of climate change. SB267, Housing Application Fees, amends the Owner-Resident Relations Act, setting limits and clarifying rules. Both SB48 and SB267 passed and have been signed by the Governor.
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Housing related bills that didn't pass:
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HB43, Housing Income to Rent Screening Calculations
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HB98, Automatic Expungement of Eviction Records
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HB100, Attorneys & Contractors as Property Managers
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HB118, Professional Recruitment & Retention Home Loans
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HB253, Sealing of Certain Court Records
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HB313, Real Property Transfer Disclosures
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HB426, Mobile Home Park Sale Notices
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HB448, Office of Housing Planning & Production
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HB453, Housing Creditworthiness Assistance Program
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HB462, Nonpayment of Rent Notice Period
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HB554, Residential Home Building Authorization
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SB77, Restrict Corporate Purchase of Singe-Family Homes
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SB223/HB135, LEDA Housing Study Requirements
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SB232, Albuquerque Affordable Housing Master Plan
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SB313, No Parking Mandates for New Development
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NOTE: Thanks to the Albuquerque Affordable Housing Coalition for their comprehensive summary of housing related bills in the 2025 legislative session.
Behavioral Health Related Bills
Rebuilding the behavioral health infrastructure in New Mexico was the focus of several bills. Addressing behavioral health is seen as a means to address high crime rates in New Mexico. SB1 created the Behavioral Health Trust Fund and SB3, Behavioral Health Reform & Investment Act, directs the creation and implementation of regional behavioral health plans. HB8, Criminal Competency & Treatment, and SB42, Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Program, both passed.
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Behavioral health bills that failed:
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HB4, Criminal Competency & Treatment
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HB70, Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver Act
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HB134, Delinquency Act Changes
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HB149, Supported Decision-Making Act
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HB345, Foster Care Behavioral Health Assessment
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SM6, Joint Consent to Mental Health Treatment
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SB42, Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Program
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SB​120, No Behavioral Health Cost Sharing
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SB326, Delinquency Act Changes
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SB405, Behavioral Health Review Committee
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SB432, Behavioral Health Grant Program & Fund
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SB489, Behavioral Health for Abused Children
Climate Related Bills
SB33, Wildfire Prepared Act, SB37, Strategic Water Reserve Fund, passed, and SM2, Wildfire Study Group were passed and signed.
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Climate related bills that failed:
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HB108, Statewide Public and Climate Program
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HB109, Extreme Weather Resilience Fund
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HB334, Rural Electric Co-op Wildfire Liability Act
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HB362, Rainfall Enhancement Pilot Project
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HJM4, Direct Air Capture Technology
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HJR3, Environmental Rights, CA
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SB4, Clear Horizons, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
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SB281, Rural Electric Co-op Wildfire Liability Act
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SM3, Beaver Population & Management Plan
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SJR4, Environment Rights, CA
Health & Human Services & Other Bills
HB214, Doula Credentialing & Access Act, passed and was signed.
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Health & Human Services and other bills that didn't pass:
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HB11, Paid Family & Medical Leave Act
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HB27, Librarian Protection Act
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HB35 Children's Health Protection Zones
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HB73, Childhood Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations
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HB76, Congenital Heart Disease Tests for Infants
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HB116, Boarding for Certain Health Discharges
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HB151, Menstrual Products in Educational Institutions
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HB152, Medically Assisted Treatment for Juveniles
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HB260, Allowable Responses to Student Behavior
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HB380, Women's Safety & Protection Act
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HB424, Pregnancy & Family Care Act
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HB446, Parental Leave & Fund
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HB466, Hormone Therapy & Puberty Blocker Protection
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HB486, Background Checks for Returning Children
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HB501, School Reporting of Gender Incongruence
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HB558, No Sexually Explicit Material in Schools
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SB26, Protection Against Violence Abuse and Violence Act
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SB102, Study Universal Basic Income & Pregnant
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SB191, Community-Based Domestic Violence Programs]
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SB258, Human Sexuality Education​