Sine Die: House Democrats Deliver on Key Priorities
in Productive 30-day Session
In addition to historic budget investments, the legislature also passed dozens of critical bills addressing priorities like community safety, education, and healthcare
Santa Fe, NM - The second session of New Mexico’s 56th Legislature adjourned sine die at noon today, concluding a productive 30-day budget session.
House Democrats delivered a strong, responsible budget that invests in key areas of need for New Mexicans today, while also planting the seeds for generational change and saving for the future. The House also passed dozens of bills to improve community safety, invest in quality education and child wellbeing, and strengthen our workforce and economy.
Other key bills sent to the Governor would also fund vital infrastructure projects across the state and reduce carbon emissions for a more sustainable future.
“This year’s $10.2 billion state budget delivers on our promise to make meaningful investments for this generation of New Mexicans and the next,” said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). “Our diverse and dynamic caucus also delivered for New Mexicans with key legislation that will help our working families get ahead, make our communities healthier and safer, and sustainably grow our economy.”
“As we enter this new era of financial stability, now is the time for us to put our record revenues to work for New Mexicans with thoughtful, sustainable investments,” said House Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque). “I am especially proud of our historic investments in workforce development, which will allow us to staff our front lines so we can solve tomorrow’s challenges and make sure New Mexicans have good-paying jobs to support their families for decades to come. Critically, we also passed a bill to help fill important public safety roles by allowing certain retired professionals to return to work without losing their benefits.”
“I am so grateful for the progress we made this session to improve access to health care and housing for New Mexico’s kids and families, ”said House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). “We also took a huge step forward in protecting New Mexicans from gun violence, passing a waiting period bill that will save lives by preventing temporary moments of crisis from becoming tragedies.”
“We know the over $4 billion we are investing in education today will set the foundation for our children’s success,” saidHouse Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino). “We also know these investments will set the foundation for the success of our long-term priorities from ending generational poverty and preventing crime to building a more resilient, sustainable future.”
House Democrats’ Key Achievements in the 2024 Legislative Session
Bills below have passed both chambers. Asterisk indicates the Governor has signed the bill as of Sine Die.
Community Safety
HB 2: General Appropriations Act - Ensures the safety of communities by providing our law enforcement with the staffing and resources they need and investing in proven programs to deter future crime by tackling its root causes.
$500 million in behavioral health investments through federal and state funds
$25 million for the recruitment of local law enforcement and correctional officers
$10 million for an Officer Pay Plan
$3.5 million special appropriation for law enforcement vehicle equipment
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 129: Firearm Sale Waiting Period - Institutes a seven-day waiting period between firearm purchase and acquisition, creating a cooling-off period and ensuring time for background checks.
Sponsored by Reps. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Joseph Cervantez (D-Las Cruces) and Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque)
SB 96: Increase Attempted Murder Penalty - Increases penalties for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
Sponsored by Senator Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque)
SB 5: Firearm Near Polling Place - Makes it illegal to have a gun within 100 feet of a polling place or within 50 feet of a ballot drop box to prevent voter intimidation and political violence.
Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), and Senators Brenda McKenna (D-Corrales), and Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces)
HB 193: Law Enforcement Retention Disbursements - Outlines tenure-based bonuses to help retain and recruit law enforcement statewide.
Sponsored by Reps. Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque), Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Alan Martinez (R-Bernalillo), and Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)
HB 236: Public Safety Employees Returning to Work - Bolsters New Mexico’s public safety workforce by allowing retirees who wish to return to work in high-demand public safety positions to do so without losing their benefits.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque), Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), House Minority Leader Ryan Lane (R-Aztec), and Rep. Alan Martinez (R-Bernalillo)
*HB 141: Supreme Court Justice Salary Increase - Provides salary increases to New Mexico Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals judges, and District Court judges to bring their salaries more in line with other states.
Sponsored by Reps. Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), and House Minority Leader Ryan Lane (R-Aztec)
Education & Child Wellbeing
HB 2: General Appropriations Act
Dedicates $4.3 billion in recurring funds for public schools
Allots $55 million for culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional materials
Appropriates $20 million to fully fund free school meals for all public school students
Dedicates $11 million to expand pre-kindergarten and childcare
Makes key investments in improving CYFD, including funds to recruit, train, and support foster care providers, with$17.8 million for housing, prevention and intervention services, as well as housing and other support for youth aging out of the system
A 3% raise for all public school and higher ed teachers
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
*HB 171: School Graduation Requirements - Allows for greater customization of curriculum and increases focus on postsecondary opportunities to prepare students for life after high school.
Sponsored by Rep. G. Andres Romero (D-Albuquerque), Minority Leader Ryan Lane (R-Aztec), and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque)
SB 153: Early Childhood Fund Transfers - Increases funding for childcare assistance, child and maternal health, doulas, lactation consultants, home visits, and pre-K supports.
Sponsored by Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Silver City) and Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces)
HB 151: Post-Secondary Affirmative Consent Policies - Requires state-funded colleges and universities to establish a clear standard for affirmative consent to help sexual assault and harassment, and provide prevention and training programs, as well as victim services.
Representative Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson (D-Albuquerque), Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Yanira Gurrola (D-Albuquerque), and Majority Floor Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque)
HB 252: Tax Changes
Creates a GRT deduction for licensed childcare and pre-K providers, who currently operate at a deficit, due to the 8-9% GRT charged to them for children receiving state assistance and ensures the tax is not passed on to New Mexican families
Increases the Special Needs Adopted Child Tax Credit by $500
Allows public school teachers to deduct up to $1000 per year on their personal income taxes for the cost of school supplies
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
Workers & Workforce Development
HB 2: General Appropriations Act - Makes historic investments in New Mexico’s workforce, increasing funding for the Higher Education and Workforce Solutions Departments to support:
$959 million for long-term support of the Lottery and Opportunity Scholarships
$50 million for the Workforce Apprenticeship Training Fund
$20 million annually for workforce training at community colleges
$15 million for medical professional loan repayment
$10 million for STEM scholarships
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 5: Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund - Supports training and apprenticeship programs to train New Mexicans for good-paying jobs in trades that are in-demand.
Sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Silver City)
HB 303: Workforce Pilot Program - Establish a three-year pilot program to provide monetary stipends to adults attending workforce training programs to help cover housing, food, and transportation expenses, as well as program registration or participation costs.
Sponsored by Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe) and Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque)
Health Care & Food Security
HB 2: General Appropriations Act
$50 million to support operations of small hospitals
A $14.1 million increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for elderly and disabled New Mexicans, quadrupling the monthly amount
$11.5 million in critical reimbursement rate increases for rural hospitals
$8 million increase for providers in Developmental Disability waiver system
$6.1 million for rural health care rate increases
$5 million in funding for Food Banks
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 7: Health Care Affordability Fund Distribution - Maintains and stabilizes distributions to the fund to ensure New Mexicans can continue to access affordable health insurance plans.
Sponsored by House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Senator Siah Correa Hemphill (D-Silver City) and Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
SB 15: Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act - Establishes a state review process for proposed hospital mergers that could negatively impact healthcare accessibility or affordability.
Sponsored by Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) and House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe)
SB 17: Health Care Delivery and Access Act - Increases Medicaid payment to hospitals, particularly in rural communities, helping New Mexico hospitals unlock funds that can be used to prevent closures and increase access to quality healthcare services across the state.
Sponsored by Senator Liz Stefanics (D-Cerrillos), Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), Senator Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, and Reps.
D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock), Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), and Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho)
HB 33: Prescription Drug Transparency Act - Increases price transparency within the prescription drug supply chain.
Sponsored by Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Liz Stefanics (D-Cerillos) and Bill Tallman (D-Albuquerque)
HB 165: Pharmacy Provider Reimbursement - Supports local pharmacies by requiring that they be reimbursed for the costs related to medications dispensed to Medicaid subscribers.
Sponsored by House Minority Caucus Chair Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena), Senators Crystal Diamond (R-Elephant Butte) and Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas), and Rep. Tara Jaramillo (D-Socorro)
HB 98: Accounts for Disabled Eligibility - Extends the age for individuals with disabilities to qualify for a tax-advantaged Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account.
Sponsored by Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque)
HB 252: Tax Changes
Expands the Rural Healthcare Practitioner Tax Credit to additional health professionals, more than doubling the number of qualifying providers and helping recruit practitioners to in-need communities
Provides a GRT deduction to healthcare providers who facilitate necessary home renovations for those on Medicaid, such as wheelchair ramps and shower bars
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
Housing
HB 2: General Appropriations Act also makes key investments in housing, including:
$125 million for the development of residential and workforce housing through the new Housing Development Fund within the New Mexico Finance Authority
$50 million for the state’s Housing Trust Fund
$10 million for transitional housing and shelters for victims of domestic violence
$2 million for re-entry services that include housing
Hundreds of thousands for statewide Councils of Governments to support homeless shelters and temporary, transitional, and affordable housing
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 195: Housing Fund - Helps local communities build, acquire, and rehabilitate housing for middle and working-class New Mexicans, as well as workforce housing, and housing for individuals with behavioral health needs and survivors of domestic violence.
Sponsored by Reps. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque), Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), and Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque)
Environment & Energy
HB 2: General Appropriations Act - Invests in our environmental conservation agencies to help them staff up and operate effectively, including:
A 27% increase for the Environment Department to support staffing and regulation
A 12.5% increase for the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to support regulation of the oil and gas industry, expand firefighting efforts, and boost staffing at state parks
$300 million to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund for conservation, supporting 10 programs across six agencies
$50 million increase for the Water Trust Fund
Increased funding for the State Parks, Oil Conservation Divisions, and the Mine Reclamation Program to support the implementation of the Water Data Act
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 41: Clean Transportation Fuel Standards - Reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels in New Mexico by incentivizing the production of lower-emission fuels by offering credits to producers, creating a market that would strengthen the state’s economy.
Sponsored by Reps. Kristina Ortez (D-Taos), Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino), and Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque)
HB 91: Geothermal Resources Project Funds - Provides funding and resources to private, public, non-profit, or tribal entities for the expansion of geothermal energy.
Sponsored by Reps. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque) and Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe) and Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque)
HB 148: Water Project Fund Projects - Authorizes loans and grants for water projects.
Sponsored by Reps. Susan Herrera (D-Embudo), Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho), Anthony Allison (D-Fruitland), Martin Zamora (R-Clovis), Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis), and House Minority Caucus Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena)
HB 252: Tax Changes
Creates refundable income tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) and corresponding charging units. Credits apply at different amounts to new or pre-owned EVs, hybrid EVs, and fuel cell vehicles.
Gives municipalities and counties authority to negotiate Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) for energy storage facilities, as they can for solar and wind production projects and renewable energy transmission facilities.
Creates a Geothermal Electricity Tax Credit for personal and corporate income taxes, creates GRT and compensation tax deductions for geothermal electricity generation facility costs, and expands tax credits for geothermal ground-coupled heat pumps.
Creates an income tax credit for qualified manufacturing facilities in New Mexico that create advanced energy products, such as solar and wind energy components.
Increases the aggregate cap on tax credits for the purchase and installation of a solar electricity system to $30 million, up from $12 million.
Provides a GRT deduction for sales of energy storage equipment to local governments.
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
Economic Development
HB 2: General Appropriations Act - Invests in proven economic drivers and creative new initiatives to bring needed diversity to our economy.
$15 million for the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund and site readiness
$175 million to expand the Opportunity Enterprise fund, including support for housing
$200,000 for local grants for creative industries
A 4.4% increase for the Tourism Department to staff vacancies and promote attractions and events
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 252: Tax Changes
Flattens New Mexico’s corporate income tax rate at 5.9%. For businesses with incomes less than $500,000, this would amount to only an estimated $500 more per year.
Extends the qualification deadline for Angel Investment Tax Credits from 2025 to 2030, to encourage investment in New Mexico businesses and provide local businesses with needed startup capital.
Exempts the sale of New Mexico businesses from the proposed capital gains cap to protect those who invest in local business.
Permits certain electrical energy generators to continue using a single-sales factor in calculating corporate income tax.
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
SB 6: Cannabis Regulation Changes - Strengthens regulations surrounding cannabis trafficking, background check procedures for sellers, and other industry standards
Sponsored by Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe)
Infrastructure & Transportation
HB 2: General Appropriations Act
$220 million for the Department of Transportation for major maintenance improvements for our roads and highways, local infrastructure, beautification, and litter control.
$10 million for the Department of Information Technology to consolidate cybersecurity in state agencies.
$25 million to expand high-speed broadband internet access statewide
$100 million to the new Government Results and Opportunity (GRO) funds to invest in local governments, statewide agencies, or pilot projects
$25 million for the new New Mexico Match Fund to help New Mexico unlock federal matching funds for important rural and infrastructure projects
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 196: Government Results and Opportunity Trust & Fund - Creates a new trust where excess revenues from the state’s General Fund would be redistributed for New Mexico lawmakers to invest in local governments, statewide agencies, or pilot projects.
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 177: NM Match Fund - Helps unlock federal matching funds for important rural and infrastructure projects by creating a $100 million fund to provide state and local agencies with the state match often required to receive federal infrastructure funds.
Sponsored by Reps. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Susan Herrera (D-Embudo), House Minority Caucus Chair Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena), and Senators Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) and Pat Woods (R-Broadview)
HB 232: Infrastructure Planning and Development Division - creates a division in the Department of Finance and Administration to help local and tribal governments secure funding for infrastructure developments.
Sponsored by Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), House Minority Caucus Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena), and Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque)
HB 308: General Obligation Bonds - allows voters to approve bonds to support statewide libraries, senior centers, higher education institutions, and public safety radio communications.
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
HB 28: Public Project Revolving Fund Projects - Authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide public project funds to state entities, local governments, and schools.
Sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Nancy Rodriguez (D-Santa Fe)
SB 88: Electronic Driver's License Credentials - allows for electronic driver’s licenses.
Sponsored by Senator Bobby Gonzales (D-Taos) and Rep. Harry Garcia (D-Grants)
Veterans & Seniors
HB 2: General Appropriations Act
8.5% increase in recurring funding for the Aging & Long-Term Services
$5 million for the Kiki Saavedra Senior Dignity Fund to provide transportation, food security, healthcare, case management, and caregiving to senior citizens
$200,000 for suicide and mental health services for veterans.
Sponsored by Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces)
HB 298: Service Members Suicide Prevention - Improves access to suicide prevention, behavioral health, and mental health resources for service members and veterans.
Sponsored by Reps. Eliseo Alcon (D-Milan), Harry Garcia (D-Grants), Tara Jaramillo (D-Socorro) and Alan Martinez (R-Bernalillo)
HB 252: Tax Package - Continues the income tax exemption for up to $30,000 in armed forces retirement pay, and adds surviving spouses to the exemption.
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
HB 302: Department of Defense Military Recommendations - Adds the Space Force to New Mexico’s recognized military branches, adds military status to the New Mexico Human Rights Act to prevent discrimination based on this factor, recognizes professional licenses across states for military personnel and their spouses, and exempts childcare programs certified by the Department of Defense from needing further state licensing.
Sponsored by Reps. Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), Harry Garcia (D-Grants), Alan Martinez (R-Bernalillo) John Block (R-Alamagordo), Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque)
Equity & Support for Wildfire Victims
HB 252: Tax Package
Brings needed reform to New Mexico’s personal income tax system, decreasing income taxes for all taxpayers, with the greatest rate cuts for the lowest earners.
Reduces the Capital Gains Tax break that overwhelmingly benefits the state’s highest earners, capping the deduction at $2,500, and brings our system in line with other states.
Establishes a Fire Recovery Income Tax Credit of up to $50,000, for New Mexicans rebuilding homes destroyed in recent wildfires.
Provides a GRT deduction of up to $5 million annually for legal services provided to help victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire receive federal compensation.
Sponsored by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
Technology
HB 182: Election Changes - Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in election campaigns
Sponsored by Majority Leader Gail Chasey (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque)
SB 129: Cybersecurity Act Changes - Makes important changes to the Act to improve the cybersecurity of state agencies.
Sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque)