Summary
The new Trump Administration and 2026 race for NM Governor mean this year's legislative session is an important one. Learn about the key issues, how bills go through the legislature, and legislation ProgressNow NM is supporting, watching, and opposing.
It’s already shaping up to be a very busy 2025 legislative session.
Public safety, behavioral/mental health, education, healthcare, and the environment were all key issues mentioned by NM House and Senate leaders as well as in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State of The State address during day 1 of the session this week.
While there is agreement on the issues themselves, not everyone sees eye-to-eye on how to accomplish such lofty goals, making it feel a lot like playing a game of whack a mole.
A bill on its surface may seem like a great idea until you dig deeper and think about the unintended consequences of passing and implementing it, especially given the federal administration we are now up against.
As we prepare to support or oppose bills in this session, it’s worth asking “What makes this particular session so important?”
If you don’t feel like reading the whole blog, we’ll start with the punchline: A Trump Presidency and the Governor’s race in 2026.
This is the last 60-day legislative session before we elect a new Governor, and our state has a history of going back and forth between a Democrat and Republican in that role every eight years, meaning that in 2026, it’s very possible we will end up with a Republican Governor who would overlap with a Trump Presidency for two years.
There is no question that combination would delay and deny good policy from being signed into law and also pave the way for even more harm to come to our communities from a Trump Administration.
The 2025 legislative session provides an important and timely opportunity to pass bold and brave policies to cushion the harms that will inevitably come down from the federal administration and that make a fundamental difference for New Mexican families in every part of our state.
Whether you care about healthcare, the environment, something else, or all the things, this is the year to get active and be consistent.
Below, you’ll find an overview of how a bill becomes a law in New Mexico and an updated list of the bills we’re tracking.
Then, make a plan for the bills you will voice your support for or opposition to as we work towards a stronger and fairer New Mexico. You can also sign up for our weekly newsletter for updates on all things NM Legislature.
🗳️ How a Bill Becomes a Law in New Mexico
- Bill Introduction: A legislator (or sponsor) introduces the bill in either the House or Senate.
- Committee Assignment: The bill is assigned to one or more committees.
- Committee Hearings: Each committee debates, amends, and votes on the bill.
- Passes Committee: Moves to the full chamber.
- Tabled or Fails Committee: Typically, the bill dies.
- Floor Debate and Vote: The full chamber debates and votes.
- If approved, it moves to the other chamber and repeats the process.
- Conference Committee (if needed): If the two chambers pass different versions, they reconcile.
- Final Passage: Both chambers must approve the same version of the bill.
- Governor’s Desk: The governor can:
- Sign the bill: It becomes law.
- Veto the bill: The legislature can override with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
- Pocket Veto: If the session ends and the governor takes no action, the bill dies. The legislature has no override option in this case.
👀 Legislation We’re Tracking
Below is a recap of bills we’ll be working on or watching (last updated: January 23, 2025)
You can also check out the full list of prefiled legislation
Support
Paid Family & Medical Leave Act (HB11) – The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, sponsored by Representative Chandler, Representative Royball Caballero, and Senator Stewart, provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of paid leave for certain family and medical reasons.
The program is funded through a state-run insurance pool and allows workers to take time off without fear of losing their job or income. Additionally, the law requires employers to post notices informing employees of their rights under the act and prohibits retaliation against employees who exercise their rights under the law.
Clear Horizons Act (SB4) – The Clear Horizons Act, sponsored by Senate Pro Temp Mimi Stewart, provides a framework for reaching net-zero Green House Gas emissions by 2050.
While the Governor’s executive order from 2019 has gone a long way to putting New Mexico on the right track of reducing methane specifically, we need the legal framework to allow our environmental agencies to regulate all green house gas emissions AND create benchmarks for all industries to start reducing their emissions over time until we reach zero.
The Clear Horizons Act has support from across the state, not just communities affected by oil and gas emissions and has some companion bills that will help bring funding directly to communities and the agencies to further shore up New Mexico’s climate future.
SB4 will be heard in its first committee this coming Tuesday, January 28 at 9am in Senate Conservation. You can learn more about the bill by clicking here!
Oil and Gas Royalty Rate Changes (SB23) – The rate New Mexico charges oil and gas producers for royalties on the resources they extract hasn’t been increased since the 1970s. As New Mexico has risen to become the second-largest producer of oil in the country, we’re losing millions of dollars every year that should be coming into our State Land Office to help further fund the state and offset the harm oil and gas companies cause our communities. This is the FIFTH time in as many years a new royalty rate has been proposed in the Legislature. We’re hoping that because it’s being sponsored this year by the chair of Senate Finance, George Muñoz, the gravity of the issue will be felt by the legislature as a whole, and we can start collecting our fair share of oil and gas profits.
Independent Salary Commission (SJR01) – Members of the NM Legislature are the only state lawmakers in the country who aren’t paid a salary for their service. This legislation would change that by giving voters the opportunity to vote on a referendum establishing an independent salary commission. Sponsored by Senators Natalie Figueroa, Peter Wirth, Joy Garratt, Angelica Rubio, and Katy Duhigg, it has broad support and is aimed at creating fair and more inclusive representation in the statehouse, as well as influencing the impact of money in politics. Learn more about Common Cause’s Modernization efforts and join the Modernization Day of Action on February 11th.
Open Primary Elections to Independent Voters (SB16) – 300,000+ New Mexicans are registered as independent voters, including half of our state’s veterans and 60% of young people. However, they are not currently allowed to vote in primary elections. This bill would give them the chance to vote in primary elections without requiring that they register with a major party, in the process infusing more voices and perspectives in our elections and democracy.
Internet Safety Privacy Act (bill number TBD) – This bill would establish state level privacy protections for New Mexicans by requiring websites, apps, and digital platforms to provide consumers with clear and easy to access information on their data collection practices. Consumers would also have the right to request a copy of their personal data, and to correct any inaccuracies and delete their data if they wish. It also requires companies to maintain reasonable data security practices to protect consumer data.
Watch
Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order updates (HB12) – This bill would amend the existing Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act (aka “red flag law”) that would give more power to police/sheriff to take away firearms.
Oppose
Minors and Harmful Material (HB44) – This bill, introduced by Rep. John Block, would restrict a range of information and materials (for example, mailing abortion medication) and anything seen as “obscene.” It also requires age verification in order to review some content, and provides civil lawsuit opportunities. We are opposing this legislation due to its vaguely defined idea of harmful material and potential to be weaponized against vulnerable communities.