In New Mexico, we believe in looking out for each other. We show up for our families, our neighbors, and our communities. When someone needs help, we’re there.
That same spirit of responsibility should guide how we hold our government accountable.
Right now, there’s an opportunity for every New Mexican to protect one of our state’s most powerful tools for democratic accountability: the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA).
There’s a newly formed task force taking public comments about how to improve the law. So far, public comment has leaned heavily toward overwhelmed government employees, who say they’d like to see the law changed to limit requests.
While their frustrations are understandable, there are better solutions and this task force needs to hear from us. You can read our letter to the task force and learn more below.
Public Records Access Is a Community Value
IPRA isn’t just a law, it’s one of our state’s most powerful tools for democratic accountability. It ensures that every family, regardless of connections or wealth, can scrutinize government workings and hold public officials accountable.
When government operates in the open, it strengthens the trust between neighbors and the institutions that serve them.
This keeps our:
- Communities safe – We can verify how public safety resources are used
- Schools accountable – Parents can review decisions affecting their children
- Jobs secure – Workers can understand how contracts and decisions are made
The Big Challenge Isn’t The Law, It’s Compliance
Here’s the truth: IPRA isn’t broken. Compliance is. Court records show agencies like the NM Department of Public Safety repeatedly miss deadlines, wrongly claim exemptions (rejected by our state Supreme Court in 2020), and force everyday New Mexicans to sue for basic records they’re entitled to by law.
While request volume has increased since 2020, much of this comes from commercial data brokers harvesting records for profit, not ordinary New Mexicans seeking accountability.
We must watch for efforts to weaken access under the guise of “reform.” Solutions should target abuse by large actors, not restrict access for journalists and everyday families.
IPRA Works When Enforced
There’s real hope here. Open government advocates like the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government have successfully sued agencies to stop violations and win records for citizens. Courts have consistently ruled in favor of transparency, including ordering agencies to pay $50 per day for unlawful delays plus legal costs.
And the IPRA task force itself – created by House Joint Memorial 2 in 2026 – is a victory for participatory government, with public meetings scheduled across our state.
Any changes to the law should preserve the core right of New Mexicans to hold the government accountable while addressing legitimate resource challenges:
- Adequate funding for records custodians at state and local levels
- Technology modernization to streamline requests and responses
- Clear timelines and consequences for agencies that delay or deny lawful requests
- More robust public education to ensure requests are well-crafted and move faster
- Targeted restrictions on commercial data brokers without limiting individual or press access
Your Voice Matters, Here’s How to Use It
1. Attend a task force meeting – Public meetings are scheduled through August:
Las Vegas (August 3)
Santa Fe (August 4)
Albuquerque (August 5)
2. Submit written comments and share your story: https://nmdoj.gov/get-help/ipra-task-force/
3. Contact your legislators – Ask them to support IPRA reforms that strengthen, not weaken, public access: Find Your Legislator.
Let’s ensure our government leads with transparency, fairness, and respect for all communities. Let’s build a New Mexico that works for everyone.
Here’s a sample comment, to help you get started:
Dear IPRA Task Force Members,
As a New Mexican who believes in fairness and accountability, I’m writing to urge you to protect our fundamental right to access public records. IPRA isn’t broken, compliance is. Too many agencies, like the NM Department of Public Safety, repeatedly miss deadlines and wrongly claim exemptions, forcing everyday families to sue for records they’re entitled to by law.
The real issue isn’t the request volume from ordinary citizens, it’s that some agencies choose not to allocate resources to properly staff their records departments. Meanwhile, commercial data brokers harvest records for profit, yet any “reform” efforts seem poised to restrict access for journalists and regular New Mexicans instead of targeting these bad actors.
Any IPRA reform must preserve our core right to hold government accountable while addressing legitimate resource challenges. I urge you to support: adequate funding for records custodians, technology modernization, clear consequences for agencies that delay or deny requests, and targeted restrictions on commercial brokers – not limitations on public access.
New Mexicans deserve a transparent government that reflects our values of respect and responsibility for all communities. Don’t create loopholes for secrecy. Strengthen what works.
Thank you for your service and consideration.
[Your Name]
[City/Town]
[Contact Information]