The 2025 New Mexico legislative session began on January 21 and ended on March 22, 2025 at 12:00 Noon when adjournment (sine die) was declared. More than 1,200 bills were filed during this year’s 60-day session which is roughly 100 bills more than two years ago.
New Mexico lawmakers passed a total of 195 bills. Governor Lujan Grishan signed into law 160 bills vetoed 18 bills and “pocket vetoed” 17 bills. The Governor had until April 11 to sign or veto the legislation.
This article is an in depth report on the legislation that has become law and the bills that were vetoed by the Governor. The article delves into the 3 major failures of the 2025 New Mexico Legislature.
GOVENOR SIGNS BUDGET BILL
On Friday April 11, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law the $10.8 billion spending plan for the coming budget year. Lujan Grisham used her line-item veto authority to ax some spending initiatives and language from those bills.
The governor struck down a $1 million appropriation for start-up costs associated with a new Office of the Child Advocate, which lawmakers approved this year to investigate complaints involving the state’s troubled Children, Youth and Families Department. Lujan Grisham signed the bill last month after opposing it. The veto of the funding is a sign of sure vindictiveness on the Governor’s part given her strong opposition to legislation calling for oversight of the CYFD.
The governor also vetoed a budget earmark stipulating that up to $80 million of a $110 million appropriation for statewide affordable housing projects be split between Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. Other vetoes included funding for the Legislature to consider audit and evaluation requirements for a new behavioral health law, and reporting requirements tied to CYFD funding.
According to the Governor’s office, the line-item vetoes of the budget bill amounted to upwards of $19 million. More than half of that amount was tied to bills that failed to pass, meaning the funding could not have been put to use even if left intact.
Lujan Grisham also vetoed language stipulating that pay raises for New Mexico public school personnel average 4%. The result is that all school employees will get 4% raises beginning this summer. State employees will get 4% salary increases under the budget plan.
The signed budget bill will boost recurring state spending for the fiscal year that starts in July 1 by $618 million, or upwards of 6%, over current levels amid the an ongoing New Mexico revenue surge caused by the oil production boom in southeast New Mexico’s Permian Basin.
GOVERNOR SIGNS PUBLIC WORKS BILL
In addition to signing the budget bill, the Governor also signed the $1.2 billion package of public works projects around New Mexico. However, the governor vetoed all capital outlay projects with appropriations of less than $10,000, saying such small projects should not be funded with state dollars. Her vetoed projects in the bill amounted to nearly $1.3 million which is only slightly more than 0.1% of the bill’s total funding.
Lawmakers used the state’s budget surplus to pay for most of the projects in House Bill 450 which is the capitol outlay bill though some projects will be paid for by bonds backed by future severance tax revenue. The annual public works package sparked political controversy during the final week of the session, as Republicans objected to a $10 million earmark inserted by the Governor’s Office for a new reproductive health clinic in northern New Mexico.
The link to the relied upon or quoted news source is here:
ONE HUNDRED SIXTY BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
On April 7 Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law 60 bills passed by the 2025 New Mexico legislature. The 60 bills address a wide range of priorities. The bills include healthcare access, public safety, economic development, elections and education. The Legislation Lujan Grisham signed into law on April 7 will:
- Strengthen public safety through measures like the Turquoise Alert System (SB 41) and enhance DNA collection for certain offenders (HB 340).
- Support economic development through the Strategic Economic Development Site Readiness program (SB 169)
- Expand educational opportunities with the Community School Fund & Framework (SB 387), Public Education Reform Fund Uses (SB 201), and Broadband for Education (SB 401).
- Enhance healthcare access by ensuring coverage for diabetic foot ulcer equipment (HB 233) and improving pharmacy reimbursement plans (HB 174).
- Protect natural resources under the Wildfire Prepared Act (SB 33).
The following is a breakdown of the most notable bills signed in the first wave of 60 bills signed into law by the Governor followed by a complete listing of the bills signed:
NOTABLE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
Senate Bill 16 is the Non-Major Party Voters in Primary Elections bill. The bill makes it easier for roughly 310,000 independent voters in New Mexico to cast ballots in primary elections. The growing ranks of New Mexico voters with no party affiliation will be allowed to vote in primary elections without changing their nonpartisan status under the bill signed into law. Senate Bill 16 passed with bipartisan support in both chambers.
Backers of the bill creating semi-open primary elections said the change could boost voter turnout rates, starting in the 2026 election cycle. Molly Swank, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico said this:
“This will ensure the voices of hundreds of thousands of folks across New Mexico will be heard in our primary elections, and Common Cause is honored to be a part of a movement expanding access to voting when we see so many states trying to restrict it.”
Under the current system, independent voters, or those who decline to align with a political party, must change their party affiliation to vote in primary elections. Critics describe process as cumbersome for county clerks, and say few independent voters have utilized it. Independents currently make up about 23% of the state’s more than 1.3 million registered voters
Senate Bill 219 establishes a program for medicinal use of psilocybin mushrooms. It creates a state-run psilocybin program for medical patients. The legislation will allow patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders and several other conditions to legally use psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms”, under medical supervision. The approval of a state-run psilocybin program will make New Mexico the third state to authorize use of the drug following the states of Oregon and Colorado. Several military veterans urged lawmakers to pass the bill during this year’s session, citing their own experiences with psilocybin use.
Senate Bill 481 will establish what would be known as the “State Fairgrounds District” which would consist of a seven member Board to oversee and govern the state fair known as Expo New Mexico and to make appropriations for development. The 5 member board would have the following designated membership:
- The Governor
- The Governor’s designee from the area of the Fairgrounds
- The Albuquerque Mayor
- The State Senator or their designee within whose district the Fairgrounds is located
- The State Representative or their designee whose district the Fairgrounds is located
- The Bernalillo City Commissioner within whose district the Fairgrounds are located
- The City Councilor within whose district the fairgrounds is located
Senate Bill 481, will create a “State Fairgrounds District Fund” for the 236-acre State Fairgrounds located North of Central Avenue, South of Lomas, East of San Pedro and West of Louisiana and any additional land adjoining it nearby the state may acquire. The legislation would empower the board to issue bonds up to $500 million with the pledge to repay those bonds with Gross Receipt Tax (GRT) from GRT and Gaming Tax with maturity of up to 25 years for the bonds. The State Fairgrounds District fund would receive “net receipts attributable to gaming tax from business locations on land owned by the state fairgrounds”.
House Bill 458 establishes the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department’s authority to regulate carbon sequestration which is pumping carbon dioxide into the ground. The bill collects fees for injection and establishes a fund to cover the costs of liability for ensuring carbon stays stored underground.
Senate Bill 41 mandates the establishment of an alert system for missing Indigenous people, a move praised by the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. CSVANW Executive Director Tiffany Jiron said this in a statement.
“Today, we celebrate a victory for Native communities across New Mexico and beyond. … The signing of SB41 is not just a policy achievement, it’s a victory for every Native mother, daughter, sister, and aunt who has ever been impacted by the violence that continues to ravage our communities…The Turquoise Alert System is a powerful tool that will help law enforcement act quickly when a Native person goes missing, providing the necessary resources to respond with urgency and care.”
Senate Bill 364 allows immigrants who are non-citizens to be hired as law enforcement officers in New Mexico if they are authorized to legally work in the United States. This is being promoted as the solution for law enforcement departments that are seriously understaffed, especially the Albuquerque Police Department, to increase their diminished ranks with a new pool of potential applicants. This bill will no doubt raise the ironic optics of American citizens actually being arrested and charged in their own country by non-citizens who again may be performing jobs American citizens do not want.
Senate Bill 57, which creates an exemption in the state’s public records laws for any records that contain “personal identifying information or sensitive information,” of public sector abortion providers.
Senate Bill 375, which allows early discharge for people who comply with probation and removes payment of court and parole costs as a condition of parole eligibility. The governor did vetoed a more comprehensive set of reforms to the state’s parole system.
Senate Bill 33 creates a Wildfire Prepared Program in the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division to provide technical assistance and training to help structures and properties in high-risk areas survive wildfire.
Senate Bill 66 exempts the Early Childhood Education and Care Department, the Children, Youth, and Families Department, the Public Education Department, and other agencies from considering people applying for caregiver roles from the Criminal Offender Employment Act, which prohibits employers from automatically barring people from job opportunities because of their criminal history.
Senate Bill 115 authorizes loans for up to $1 million to an additional 200 public entities, such as schools, cities and local governments.
House Bill 206 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to loan money to 62 public entities for water infrastructure projects.
LISTING OF BILLS SIGNED
Following is the complete listing of all the bills that Governor Lujan Grisham signed into law on April 7:
SENATE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
- Senate Bill 007: Storm Water Service as Municipal Utility
- Senate Bill 008: Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program
- Senate Bill 016: Non-Major Party Voters in Primary Elections
- Senate Bill 033: Wildfire Prepared Act
- Senate Bill 037: Strategic Water Reserve Fund
- Senate Bill 039: Add Classes to Prior Authorization Drugs
- Senate Bill 041: Turquoise Alert System
- Senate Bill 053: Prescribing Psychologist Psychotropics
- Senate Bill 057: Medical Provider Patient IPRA Info
- Senate Bill 066: Criminal Offender Employment Exemptions
- Senate Bill 072: Nonprofit Condo Assoc. Remote Business
- Senate Bill 083: Innovation in State Government Fund
- Senate Bill 100: Indebtedness Limit of Arroyo Flood Control
- Senate Bill 101: Increase Certain Livestock Fees
- Senate Bill 113: Board & Commission Sunset Dates
- Senate Bill 115: Public Project Revolving Fund Projects
- Senate Bill 127: Movie Exemption from Barber & Cosmetic Act
- Senate Bill 155: Determination of Embezzlement Penalty
- Senate Bill 169: Strategic Economic Development Site Readiness
- Senate Bill 170: NMFA Definitions, Funds & Rates
- Senate Bill 201: Public Ed. Reform Fund Uses
- Senate Bill 219: Medical Psilocybin Act
- Senate Bill 236: Look Twice for Motorcycle License Plate
- Senate Bill 252: Social Work Telehealth Services
- Senate Bill 274: Board of Finance Approval for Land Sales
- Senate Bill 353: Search & Rescue Emergency Responses
- Senate Bill 364: Law Enforcement Qualifications
- Senate Bill 375: Probation & Parole Changes
- Senate Bill 376: State Employee Health Benefit Contributions
- Senate Bill 387: Community School Fund & Framework
- Senate Bill 401: Broadband for Education
- Senate Bill 481: State Fairgrounds District Act
- Senate Bill 535: Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare State Fees & Funds
HOUSE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
- House Bill 41: Public Project Fund Appropriations
- House Bill 071: Early Childhood Ed & Care Fund Transfers
- House Bill 99: Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificates
- House Bill 101: Firearm At Polling Place for Law Enforcement
- House Bill 102: Violent Felonies for Meritorious Deduction
- House Bill 131: Caregiver Background Checks
- House Bill 159: Energy Project Siting & Military Bases
- House Bill 167: Higher Ed. Payment for Certain Tests
- House Bill 174: Pharmacy Reimbursement for Certain Plans
- House Bill 192: Digital Trunked Radio System Subscriber Fees
- House Bill 206: NMFA Water Project Fund Projects
- House Bill 233: Diabetic Foot Ulcer Equipment Coverage
- House Bill 244: Magistrate Judge Minimum Age
- House Bill 251: Ed. Retirement Beneficiary Changes
- House Bill 281: Hair Braiding Licensure
- House Bill 298: Local Government Official Changes
- House Bill 323: Engineer Licensure
- House Bill 340: DNA Of Certain Offenders in CODIS
- House Bill 357: Mi Via Waiver Program Provider Gross Receipts
- House Bill 361: EMNRD Conversion of Certain Wells
- House Bill 402: Health Insurance Provider Info Loading
- House Bill 431: Appointment Of Watershed Boards
- House Bill 439: Public Safety Telecommunicator CPR Training
- House Bill 458: Carbon Dioxide Storage Stewardship Act
- House Bill 553: Timber Grading Act
- House Bill 586: Review Of Certain Healthcare Transactions
- House Bill 618: Clarify DoIT Role on Agency Projects
Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/04/07/governor-lujan-grisham-signs-60-bills-into-law/
https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-open-primaries-87d4d04bf0de858f2287f1d36b360b4e
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_ee182649-c103-4e56-b3ee-8dcf9e325ff8.html
https://sourcenm.com/2025/04/08/gov-lujan-grisham-signs-60-bills-into-law/
FORTY-ONE BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
On April 8, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she signed 41 bills into law. The bills address a wide range of priorities including healthcare access, economic development, education, environmental protection, and public safety.
A complete list of bills signed by the governor on April 8 is as follows:
HEALTHCARE IMPROVEMENTS
- HB 056: Medicaid Reimbursements for Birth Centers
- HB 078: Prohibit Discrimination Against 340B Entities
- HB 117: Death Certificate by Physician Assistant
- HB 171: Pharmacy Custodial Care Facilities
- HB 178: Nursing Practice Changes
- SB 120: No Behavioral Health Cost Sharing
- SB 122: Expand Prescription Drug Donation Program
- SB 249: Health Care Provider Gross Receipts
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
- HB 093: Advanced Grid Technology Plans
- HB 128: NMFA Local Solar Access Fund
- HB 137: Strategic Water Supply Act
- HB 140: ‘Hazardous Waste Constituent’ Definition
- HB 212: Per- & Poly-Flouroalkyl Protection Act
- HB 240: Drinking Water System Grants & Loans
- SB 021: Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- HB 019: Trade Ports Development Act
- HB 368: High Wage Jobs Tax Credit ‘Threshold Job’
- HB 456: Architect & Engineering Services & Construction
- SB 357: Essential Services Development Act
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE
- HB 063: Public School Funding Formula Changes
- HB 069: Loan Forgiveness Multiplier Act
- HB 089: Graduate Scholarship Act Changes
- SB 019: Boards Of Regents Training Requirements
- SB 146: Educational Opportunity for Military Children
- HB 336: Certain Retirees Returning to Work
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE
- HB 010: RLD Cannabis Enforcement
- HB 024: Community Governance Attorneys Changes
- HB 113: Animal Welfare Program and Trust Fund
- HB 158: Military Base Planning & Impact Act
- HB 295: Tax On Property Owned by NM RETA
- HB 296: Public Accountant Licensure Requirements
- HB 398: HMO & Contract Provider Exam Time Lines
- HB 468: Retiring of State Flags
- SB 088: Medicaid Trust Fund & State Supported Fund
- SB 092: Horse Racing & Jockey Insurance Fund
- SB 126: Increase Rural Service Fund Allocations
- SB 159: Independent Theater Beer & Wine Licenses
- SB 221: Additional Unfair Insurance Claims Practice
- SB 267: Housing Application Fees
- SB 280: NMMI In Capital Outlay Act
- SB 290: Raise Marriage License Fees
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/04/08/governor-lujan-grisham-signs-41-bills-into-law/
TEN BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
On April 9 Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed 10 bills into law. The bills include requiring all schools to install heart defibrillators, adding additional crimes to the state’s organized crime laws and approving a pilot project for grandparents raising grandchildren. The highlights of the bills signed are as follows:
House Bill 54 requires all public schools to develop plans for addressing cardiac emergencies and have electronic devices on site. The bill originally requested high schools to meet the requirements, but lawmakers amended it to include all schools. High schools are required to install automated external defibrillators by the 2026 school year, and elementary schools must comply by 2027.
Senate Bill 70 adds additional crimes that qualify for racketeering charges, including dog and cockfighting, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration; criminal sexual contact and bringing contraband into prisons and jails.
House Bill 252 develops a $4 million dollar pilot project for the Aging and Long Term Services Department to provide funding for grandparents or next-of-kin raising children. The bill will address 50 families in five to seven counties.
House Joint Resolution 2 removes the governor’s pocket veto power with lawmakers unanimously passing the measure. Voters will have the chance to vote on the constitutional change in 2026 unless a special election before then is called.
The full list of the bills signed into law on April 9 is here:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- House Bill 6: IRB Project Minimum Wage
- House Bill 20: Technology & Innovation Division
- Senate Bill 59: Public Works Minimum Wage Definitions
EDUCATION AND STUDENT SAFETY
- House Bill 54: Defibrillators In Every High School
- House Bill 532: Student Water Safety Guidance
PUBLIC SAFETY AND LEGAL IMPROVEMENTS
- Senate Bill 070: Add Racketeering Crimes
- Senate Bill 168: Travel Insurance Act
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE
- House Bill 172: New Mexico Red & Green Chile Month
- House Bill 218: Tax Changes
- House Bill 252: Kinship Caregiver Support Pilot Program
Links to relied upon or quoted news sources are here:
TWENTY TWO BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW
On April 10 Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed 22 bills into law. The bills include laws dealing with education, privacy protections, addiction recovery and clean energy. The highlights of the more notable bills signed are as follows:
Education Measures: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill increasing the minimum teacher salary in New Mexico to $55,000. Seven other education bills also passed, including one requiring districts to set policies on cellphones and other electronic devices by August. Newly signed bills also address teacher licensure and protect Hispanic education programs.
Addiction Care Shift: Oversight of the state’s Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act moves from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Department of Health. The law mandates safe care plans for drug-exposed newborns.
Privacy Protections for State Employees: One new law prohibits state employees from sharing personal information including such immigration status, gender identity, or medical details outside of their agency, with some exceptions.
Oil and Gas Royalties Increase: After multiple failed attempts, the oil and gas royalty cap will rise from 20% to 25%, marking a long-awaited win for State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.
Climate Change And Disaster Relief Funding Bill: Senate Bill 48 is the Community Benefit Fund, which contains $210 million for communities to use for a series of projects to mitigate climate change impacts. These include: train workers in the oil and gas industry for other jobs; reduce oil and gas emissions; improve the electric grid; develop renewable energy projects; modify public buildings to be more energy efficient; reduce the impacts of climate change on human health, agriculture and the environment; purchase electric vehicles and develop charging infrastructure.
The list of the bills signed on April 10 is as follows:
EDUCATION
- House Bill 156: Increase Educational Salaries
- House Bill 157: New School Licenses
- House Bill 195: School Nurse Salary Tiers & Minimums
- House Bill 487: Protection Of Hispanic Education
- Senate Bill 11: Anti-Distraction Policy in Schools*
- Senate Bill 133: Educational Retirees Returning to Work
- Senate Bill 343: Teacher Salary Rates Changes
- Senate Bill 345: Teacher & Instructional Support Licensure
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
- House Bill 91: Public Utility Rate Structures
- House Bill 291: Recycling & State’s Circular Economy
- Senate Bill 9: Pipeline Safety Act Violations Civil Penalty
- Senate Bill 23: Oil & Gas Royalty Rate Changes
HEALTH CARE MEASURES
- Senate Bill 42: Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Program*
- Senate Bill 45: County Health Care Assistance Fund Use
- Senate Bill 78: Certified Nurse Anesthetist Role
MISCELLANEOUS
- House Bill 352: Close & Relocate Certain Magistrate Courts
- House Bill 493: Public Finance Accountability Act
- Senate Bill 31: Zero-Interest Natural Disaster Loans (includes a line-item veto that was unavailable as of publication)
- Senate Bill 36: Sensitive Personal Information Nondisclosure
- Senate Bill 47: Santa Cruz De La Canada Land Grant
- Senate Bill 48: Community Benefit Fund
- Senate Bill 124: Superintendent Of Insurance Subpoenas
The links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/business/energy/article_6e7cc916-c373-4e8e-9623-1f7a7871880c.html
THIRTY FIVE BILLS VETOED
Gov. Michelle Lujan vetoed a total 35 bills enacted by the 2025 legislative session. In doing so she also lashed out against the legislature. The bills she vetoed include the tax package approved by lawmakers on the second to last day of or this year’s session, a bill dealing with lobbyist disclosure, new custom license plates and making tortillas New Mexico’s official state bread.
In addition to the 35 bills she vetoed from this year’s session, Governor Lujan Grisham also “pocket vetoed” 17 bills, meaning she didn’t sign them by the deadline and doesn’t have to explain her reasoning.
The pocket vetoes included measures aiming to increase housing affordability and accessibility, bar state universities from denying students’ admission based on immigration status, change the New Mexico Gaming Control Board and update the state’s Sunshine Portal.
Following are the most notable vetoes:
House Bill 143: Lobbying Activity Reports
House Bill 143 was high-profile bill requiring registered New Mexico lobbyists to disclose which bills they actively supported and which bills they lobbied against. It would have require lobbyists, or their employers, to file “lobbyist activity reports” disclosing stances on bills they’re influencing, and, if positions change, to update their stances within 48 hours.
In her veto message, the governor wrote that she supported the bill’s intent, but it needed work. For instance, she continued:
“It imposes an onerous requirement that lobbyists or their employers file these reports within forty–eight hours of commencing the lobbying activity— including any time their ‘position on legislation has changed’— irrespective of weekends and holidays. It is also unclear how this requirement applies to lobbying activity that commences on legislation after the adjournment of a legislative session since another subsection of HB 143 simply provides that these reports merely need to be filed ‘prior to the end of the time period in which the governor may act on legislation.”
Moreover, she wrote, the bill does not make it clear what constitutes a “change in position” for lobbyists. Lastly, she added, “I think it is important that elected officials with a donor base such as legislators (and governors) also be required to disclose their changes in position. I look forward to working with the Legislature in the next session on a bill that really adds transparency and accountability.”
Rep. Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) a freshman legislator who co-sponsored HB143, called the veto “an unfortunate setback,” and said that state government should work to be more transparent.
Silva said this in a written statement:
“It’s ironic that HB143 would have given us information about who lobbied the governor to veto this bill – and without it, we have no way to know. … In other words, her veto demonstrates the need for the very legislation she killed today.”
House Bill 14: Earned Income Tax Credit (Tax Package)
House Bill 14 was the compromised tax packaged. The governor simply vetoed the entire package. There was an extensive amount of last-minute wrangling over the tax package, which ultimately included a slight tax on alcohol sales, among tax credit expansions in fiscal year 2027 paid out of state reserves.
In her veto message, the governor lashed out at lawmakers for “last-minute deal-making” on the tax package, which passed after House and Senate members reached a compromise that delayed the effective date of most of its changes until next year.
Lujan Grisham lashed out in her veto message and said this:
“New Mexicans deserve thoughtful, forward-looking policy-not last-minute dealmaking that delays relief, ignores economic opportunity, and undermines fiscal responsibility. … That is not prudence — it is paralysis. … Even more troubling is the fact that what ultimately emerged lack both strategic coherence and fiscal responsibility. There was no plan and no preparation for how to pay for the tax relief in this bill. …”
Among other provisions, the tax package would have given a personal income tax break to an estimated 101,000 working New Mexicans and would have provided a tax credit or deduction for foster parents and health care practitioners. The vetoed bill, House Bill 14, also called for a 20% hike in New Mexico’s liquor excise tax rate. The Governor said she supported some of those ideas, but encouraged lawmakers to “do better” during next year’s 30-day legislative session.
Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, the chair of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee, said Friday he was disappointed by the governor’s veto. Lente said this:
“I think a lot of the measures in this tax omnibus package were going to support New Mexicans during this time of financial uncertainty. We’ve missed a large opportunity here by not putting this into law.”
Representative Lente said the provisions included in the tax package had been thoroughly vetted before being added to the bill, but acknowledged the Senate’s decision to remove a proposed oil surtax complicated negotiations about the tax package’s budgetary impact during the session’s final days.
The tax package veto came on the final day for the governor to act on legislation passed during the legislative session, which ended March 22.
House Bill 36: Board of Optometry Powers and Duties,
The bill would have allowed optometrists to perform several procedures that currently can only be performed by ophthalmologists. The governor wrote:
“I am vetoing this bill because it sets a dangerous precedent for allowing non-surgeons to perform surgical procedures.”
House Bill 77: Annual Federal SNAP State Outreach Plans
The bill would have required the Health Care Authority to develop annual outreach plans to promote the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The governor wrote “it is unnecessary because the HCA already does extensive outreach promoting SNAP.”
House Bill 120: Accessibility of State Agencies
This legislation would have required state agencies to develop their websites to meet federal disability standards, and create a state office to enforce the digital standards. Lujan Grisham said in her veto message the bill duplicates an effort her office started and said this:
“[Enacting] it into law will only disrupt the process that my Administration has already established to ensure accessibility.”
House Bill 181: State Trust Program Accountability Plan
The bill would have amended the Accountability in Government Act. The governor said she vetoed the bill because “it does not achieve its stated goal of increasing transparency and accountability in the use of GRO Trust funds.”
House Bill 191: Wildfire Suppression & Preparedness Funds
This legislation would have created two wildfire-related permanent funds administered by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD): the post wildfire fund and the wildfire suppression fund, with a $12 million appropriation attached to the first fund. The Governo wrote in her veto message:
“The wildfire suppression fund is a good idea on its face ... However, the Legislature did not provide any money for it, instead requiring all federal reimbursements for wildfire suppression costs or out–of–state assignments for state crews to be deposited into the fund. Given the snail’s pace of federal reimbursements–which have only gotten slower in recent months–relying on that funding stream does not set this program up for success. I will, however, require the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division and the State Fire Marshal’s Office to collaborate on outreach to the public to educate homeowners on effective means to minimize the risk to private property from wildfires.” As for the $12 million appropriation, she wrote, “put simply, that is not nearly enough money to even put a dent in post fire recovery operations.”
House Bill 219: Slot Canyon Riverlands State Park
This bill would have created a new state park in Southern New Mexico. The governor said she vetoed the bill due to existing state parks already being understaffed and undermaintained. She wrote this in her veto message:
“Adding another state park will only spread stretched resources even further.”.
Patrick Nolan, executive Director of Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks said this in a statement about the veto:
“To say we are disappointed in the Governor’s veto would be an understatement. This project was well thought out, closely coordinated with the State Parks Department, and supported by a significant number of Southern New Mexicans. … It was by all measures a winning idea that would have insured equitable and safe access to our public lands for generations of New Mexicans and their families. At a time where the federal government is proposing a sell off of public lands, New Mexico had the opportunity to demonstrate our shared values on protected public lands and open spaces, and the Governor failed to do so.”
State Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) expressed similar sentiments in a statement that read in part:
“As a lifelong New Mexican and avid outdoorsman, I have a deep appreciation for all of our incredible state parks. That’s why I worked to secure $40 million in the state budget for management and maintenance of existing parks, as well as Slot Canyon. This veto is a missed opportunity to expand Southern New Mexico’s recreational economy, but critically — halts investments in safety infrastructure for the many folks already exploring Las Cruces’ popular slot canyon every day. However, our efforts to establish this state park will continue, so folks can recreate safely and our community can benefit from the new opportunities for economic development and growth.”
House Bill 269: Health Care Authority Visit Verification
In her veto message the governor wrote this bill is unnecessary as the HCA is already working on creating the type of system prescribed in the legislation, and with completing anticipated in October.
House Bill 433: Study Career & Tech Education
The governor said in her veto that the bill was simply unnecessary.
House Bill 494: Tax Exemptions for Veterans
The governor wrote in her veto message that “This bill purported to enable veterans to claim a property tax exemption. However, HB 494 actually makes it harder for veterans to obtain this important benefit by changing the current one year window to apply to a mere 30 days. … this bill benefits county assessors more than veterans”
Senate Bill 142: Grid Modernization Roadmap
Lujan Grisham said this bill duplicated efforts already in motion at the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
Senate Bill 220: Publication Of Legal Settlement Terms
The bill would have required the state’s insurance arm the Risk Management Division and the Public School Insurance authority to post settlement data from alleged misconduct to the state’s Sunshine Portal. Risk Management Division has been voluntarily posting the information since 2019, but SB220 would have added an additional layer of review in cases resulting in deaths, serious injury or losses over $250,000, and required reports to the legislature. Lujan Grisham wrote the bill was unclear in the standards for the review. She wrote in her veto message:
“[The Legislature] failed to appropriate any funds support this significant workload increase, nor did the Legislature account for the resources needed to ensure a fair, thorough, and timely process.”
Detailed information on the specific vetoes and their rationale are posted on the Secretary of State’s website in messages here:
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/04/11/governor-lujan-grisham-vetoes-16-bills/
Links to quoted or relied upon news sources are here:
https://www.sos.nm.gov/legislation-and-lobbying/signed-chaptered-bills/2025-legislation/
OTHER MAJOR LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW
It was on February 27, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law the Behavioral Health Reform Package and the Omnibus Crime Package. In summary, the two major pieces of legislation provide as follows:
The Behavioral Health Reform Package consists of 3 Senate Bills that will make sweeping changes to how New Mexico’s mental health and drug abuse treatment programs are run statewide. Senate Bill 1 creates the Behavioral Health Trust Fund for the state of New Mexico to support mental health and substance abuse treatment, prevention, and intervention programs throughout the state. Senate Bill 2 allocates $200 million to expand regional behavioral health services such as crisis response and outpatient care. Senate Bill 3 requires regional plans be crafted for providing mental health and substance abuse treatment. The plans would be overseen by the state judicial branch and would include time lines and regional funding priorities.
The Omnibus Crime Package. House Bill 8, is a compilation of six different bills that were consolidated into a single bill. It includes provisions dealing with fentanyl trafficking, auto theft and drugged driving (DWI). It also includes outlawing the devices used to convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. It makes changes to how New Mexico handles criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial and adding a dangerousness evaluation in such cases and giving judges more options for treatment programs.
On Friday, March 21, the day before the 2025 New Mexico Legislature session ended, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law House Bill 5 which creates an independent Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) to oversee child welfare in New Mexico. The office will commence operation in July. As an impartial public official, the Child Advocate would receive and investigate complaints related to children’s services at CYFD and state agencies, ensure their resolution, and inform the public, legislature, and Governor about opportunities for improvement.
The OCA will also review CYFD’s policies and procedures, provide children and families with information about their rights, operate a toll-free hotline to receive complaints, and compile and report independent data, among other duties. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta (D-To’hajiilee), House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), and House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque).
The Child Advocate would be appointed for a six-year term by a selection committee composed of bipartisan representatives of the New Mexico House and Senate, the Governor’s office, the Attorney General, and the Supreme Court. Candidates would be selected based on their qualifications in law, psychology, social work, or family therapy. The Office of Child Advocate would be independent and autonomous, but would be administratively attached to the New Mexico Department of Justice. This would allow the Office of the Child Advocate to pursue all available remedies to protect the health and safety of New Mexico’s children.
In a line item veto in the enacted state budget, the governor struck down a $1 million appropriation for start-up costs associated with a new Office of the Child Advocate. Lujan Grisham signed the bill last month after opposing it. The veto of the funding is a sign of sure vindictiveness on the Governor’s part given her strong opposition to legislation calling for oversight of the CYFD.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
New Mexico lawmakers passed a total of 195 bills during the 2025 legislative session. The Governor signed into law 160 bills, vetoed 18 bills and “pocket vetoed” 17 bills. The most notable bills that became law include the Open Primaries bill, the Behavioral Health Reform Package, the Omnibus Crime Package, and the creation off the Office of the Child Advocate for the Children Youth and Families Department.
Major vetoes by the Governor include the compromise tax package and the lobbyist reporting bill. She also vetoed two other major bills, a measure allowing local school boards to determine the number of annual school days and legislation dealing with probation and parole changes.
DEMOCRATS RESPONSIBLE FOR THREE BIGGEST FAILURES OF 2025 SESSION
The three biggest failures of the 2025 New Mexico legislature were the following:
- House Bill 11 was known as the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act and it passed the House on a 38-31 vote in favor of the legislation. Passage of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act resulted in a strong, organized onslaught of opposition from business owners and organizations and was fiercely opposed by Republican legislators who described it as a tax on both workers and employers alike. Several days of negotiations between bill supporters and skeptics failed to produce a compromise both sides could accept. Upon presentation of House Bill 11 to the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee voted to block the bill on an 8-3 vote from advancing any further thereby killing it. (https://www.koat.com/article/paid-family-leave-act-fails-in-a-senate-committee/64196494)
- House Bill 134 was a bipartisan juvenile justice reform bill to rewrite New Mexico’s juvenile justice laws as embodied in the Children’s Code. It would have expand the list of violent crimes where juveniles could be charged as adults and as a “serious youthful offender” to make sure violent teen suspects are held accountable for those crimes. The proposed changes to the Children’s Code were reasonable and measured. It was an acknowledgement of a crisis that needs to be dealt with. On March 6, the House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee debated a slimmed-down version of House Bill 134 and voted 4 to 2 to table the legislation thereby killing the bill. The committee simply ignored what is going on with teens committing adult violent crimes and leaving no real options to secure justice for victims of violent crime.
- Although the 2025 legislature enacted the Omnibus Crime Package, (House Bill 8) it simply ignored or let other crime legislation and gun control measures die in committee. The Governor asked for more legislation to deal with crime and punishment. More than 40 bills dealing with crime and criminal penalties were filed at the start of New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session. The following are a few of the major crime bills introduced but that were never heard in committee and simply ignored:
- Senate Bill 32: Creates it a fourth-degree felony of possession of a stolen firearm.
- Senate Bill 70: Amending it a state racketeering law to include human trafficking and other crimes.
- House Bill 165: Making it easier to hold defendants accused of certain violent crimes in jail until trial with a rebuttable presumption of dangerousness.
- House Bill 166: Increase the criminal penalty for convicted felons in possession of a firearm.
- Senate Bill 95: Making it a capital crime to sell fentanyl to anyone who subsequently dies due to an overdose.
- House Bill 86 which would remove the statute of limitations for prosecuting a human trafficking offense.
- Bills outlawing the sales of AR-15 rifles.
This year, Democrats had a commanding 43-26 majority in the House and a 26-16 majority in the Senate. All three failures outlined above fall squarely on the House and Senate Democrats and their leadership given that the legislation was simply ignored or died in committee with Democratic lawmakers voting to kill the legislation.
FINAL COMMENTARY
Notwithstanding the vetoes and the failures to enact legislation, the 2025 New Mexico Legislative session can be deemed successful. However, the Governor has suggested that she may call the legislature back into special session to deal with another crime package and updating the Children’s Code and the Juvenile Justice system.
The blunt reality is the Governor is now clearly a lame duck with only one more 30 day session before her term ends on January 1, 2027. Given her severe admonishments she has given the legislature about the failure to enact crime bills and her veto of the tax package, it’s almost assured that any special session she calls now will be met with strong opposition and will only result in another embarrassment to her and with the legislature essentially ignoring her.