HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE
House Democrats deliver major victories for working families, including: pay raises for public workers, access to affordable healthcare, sustainable universal childcare, protections for our immigrant communities, meaningful public safety solutions, and cradle-to-career opportunities
The second session of New Mexico’s 57th Legislature came to a close at Noon Thursday, concluding a highly-productive 30 days. House Democrats passed more than 100 bills and made targeted investments to expand access to healthcare and housing, improve public safety, and make life better and more affordable for New Mexico families and communities.
Despite slowing state revenue projections and growing economic uncertainty at the federal level, the House delivered a responsible state budget that invests in key areas of need for New Mexicans now, while continuing to save for the future.
House Democrats also took critical steps to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, improve public safety, protect New Mexico’s immigrant communities, and strengthen cradle-to-career education, including the establishment a high-quality, sustainable universal childcare program.
“While chaos, cruelty, and dysfunction continue to dominate our national political landscape, your New Mexico House Democrats were relentlessly focused on delivering real solutions to the challenges facing working families throughout our state,” said Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque). “Our work this session means that your healthcare will be more affordable and accessible, your family won’t have to worry about the cost of childcare, your community will be safer, and your children will have more opportunities to thrive.”
“After months of meeting with patients and healthcare providers, we came into this session with a plan to expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare statewide by lowering your out-of-pocket costs, and recruiting and retaining more providers to serve our communities,” said House Majority Floor Leader Whip Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). “The legislation we passed and investments we made over the last 30 days will mean more providers, more access, and more care in your community and lead to better health outcomes for New Mexico families.”
“New Mexicans deserve meaningful, evidence-based solutions that actually make our communities safer, not just soundbites or supposed silver bullets,” said House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque). “House Democrats continued to make real progress this session – addressing root causes of crime, making sure our law enforcement have the tools and resources they need to keep us safe, and pursuing smart, targeted measures to deter crime and reduce violence in our communities.”
“This was a huge session for New Mexico’s students, schools, and teachers,” said House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino). “We are creating more cradle-to-career educational opportunities for children across our state, while also investing in our educators, so we can recruit and retain the best and the brightest and give our kids the quality education they deserve.”
House Democrats’ Key Achievements in the 2026 Legislative Session
Unless otherwise noted, bills below have passed both chambers.
Asterisk indicates the Governor has signed the bill as of Sine Die.
Affordability
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Expands access to affordable healthcare, holistically addresses New Mexico’s housing crisis, and makes vital investments in food security amid federal funding cuts.
- Delivers $11.1 billion in state and federal funding for Medicaid
- Dedicates $254 million to lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs, including keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable and supporting those who may lose eligibility for Medicaid due to federal changes
- Allocates $3 million for the state-level expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), amid federal cuts to these vital programs, along with $5.4 million to enhance EBT card security
- Dedicates $130 million to address housing shortages, homelessness, and tribal housing issues, including funding for regional housing projects, new housing infrastructure, and housing programs like Linkages, Rapid Rehousing, and homelessness prevention
Sponsored by Reps. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 151: Tax Package – Provides 1% raises for educators, nurses, police, firefighters, bus drivers, custodians, social workers, and other state employees, while also supporting healthcare providers, affordable housing construction, local journalism, and economic development.
Sponsored by Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), and Senators Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque) and Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque);
House amendment introduced by Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo)
House Bill 200: New Homes for New Mexico Program – Creates a new program to provide no-interest loans to help working families in New Mexico purchase their first home and incentivize homebuilders to build affordable, starter homes in areas of need.
Sponsored by Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) and Senators Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque) and Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo)
House Bill 4: Health Care Affordability Fund Distributions – Lowers out-of-pocket healthcare costs by expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) and Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 306: Prohibit Certain Healthcare Facility Fee – Protects New Mexicans from unnecessary facility fees for telehealth appointments and preventive healthcare services and vaccinations provided in an outpatient facility, and requires increased transparency in consumer pricing.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe)
House Bill 38: Wheelchair Insurance Coverage – Requires insurance companies to cover wheelchairs and other complex rehabilitation technology (CRT) devices that enable individuals with disabilities to participate in physical activity or support their independence.
Sponsored by Reps. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) and Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 47: School Employee Insurance Programs – Lowers health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff, so they can keep more of their hard-earned money.
10 sponsors including House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino), Senators
Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque), Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), and Reps.
Tanya Mirabal Moya (R-Los Lunas) and Brian Baca (R-Los Lunas)
House Bill 30: Teacher Residency Act Changes – Raises pay for teacher residents to make sure aspiring educators are paid a good, living wage as they work toward their teaching license.
Sponsored by Reps. Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), G. Andrés Romero (D-Albuquerque), Brian Baca (R-Los Lunas), Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)
Healthcare Access
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Invests in New Mexico’s healthcare workforce to help recruit and retain more providers to serve patients in New Mexico.
- Doubles the size of the UNM medical school
- Invests in growing the healthcare workforce with increased pay for medical residents and fellows at UNM medical school
- Dedicates $25 million to expand loan repayment assistance for healthcare providers
- Provides $24 million for rural residencies and rotations
- Funds downpayment assistance for healthcare providers, so they put down roots in New Mexico
- Designates $4 million for rural and tribal health councils
Sponsored by Reps. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
Interstate Healthcare Compacts – Expand access to healthcare through participation in compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico and streamline the licensing process for providers moving here:
29 sponsors including Reps. Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque) and Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) and Senators Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque)
17 sponsors including Reps. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque), Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), and Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces), and Senators Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) and Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe)
- Passed by House, but died in Senate:
House Bill 10: Physician Assistant Interstate Compact
House Bill 11: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact
House Bill 12: Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
House Bill 13: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
House Bill 14: Dental and Dentist Hygienist Compact
House Bill 31: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact
House Bill 32: Counseling Licensure Compact
House Bill 33: Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
House Bill 99: Medical Malpractice Changes – Makes targeted changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for healthcare providers while protecting patient safety.
27 sponsors including Reps. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) and Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque) and House Minority Floor Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena)
House Bill 195: Collection of Medical Malpractice Judgements – Protects the personal assets of healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases.
Sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) and Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque)
Passed by House, but died in Senate
House Bill 66: Healthcare Professional Loan Fund Changes – Extends eligibility for loan repayment to a larger list of healthcare providers and increases the amount provided to physicians to $75,000 per year in return for four years of service – one of the nation’s most competitive loan repayment programs.
Sponsored by Reps. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 127: Medical Board Expedited Licensure – Creates a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians, improves the expedited licensure process for all providers coming to New Mexico, and expands telehealth options to help address the doctor shortage.
Sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) and Rep. Tara Lujan (D-Santa Fe)
Passed by House, but died in Senate
Senate Bill 20: Prior Authorization & Prescription Drugs – Applies requirements of the state’s Prior Authorization Act to Pharmacy Benefits Managers, who serve as intermediaries between insurers, manufacturers, and pharmacies. This removes excessive preauthorization requirements for medications for chronic diseases and serious mental illnesses, to make sure New Mexicans can access necessary medications and remove burdensome administrative work for pharmacists.
6 sponsors including Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) and Senators Liz Stefanics (D-Cerillos), Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), and Linda López (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 156: Vaccination Laws – Makes sure New Mexico families can access and afford the vaccinations their doctors recommend, no matter what happens at the federal level.
Sponsored by House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque) and Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 30: Reporting of Induced Abortions – Repeals an antiquated state statute requiring abortions performed in New Mexico to be reported to the state registrar.
Sponsored by Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque), Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Senators Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo) and Angel Charley (D-Acoma)
Community Safety
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Invests in improving the safety of our communities by addressing root causes of crime in our communities and making sure law enforcement and courts have the staffing and resources they need to keep New Mexicans safe.
- Invests $3 million annually in evidence-based diversion programs at CYFD to help prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in crime, including one-on-one youth mentoring, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Better Futures program
- Allocates $2 million for crime-reduction grants through the New Mexico Sentencing Commission
- Appropriates $2 million for intelligence-led policing
- Directs $1.5 million to the Organized Crime Commission
- Makes dedicated investments in our justice system, including additional funding to help District Attorneys to continue their important work, to expand Juvenile and Teen Drug Court, and to add an additional judge in New Mexico’s First and Second Judicial Districts
Sponsored by Reps. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
*House Bill 9: Immigrant Safety Act – Prevents New Mexico state and local governments from contracting with federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals for civil immigration violations, and prohibits these governments from entering into agreements to deputize local officers or employees to perform immigration functions.
24 sponsors inc. Reps. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque), Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces), Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque), Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces)
House Bill 5: Juvenile Justice Changes – Addresses juvenile justice proactively, with age-appropriate accountability measures and improved services for at-risk youth.
Sponsored by Reps. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque), Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces), Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque) and Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque)
This bill did not receive a message from the Governor, so it was unable to be considered.
Senate Bill 3: Commitment Procedure Definition & Changes – Improves the courts’ ability to proactively intervene if a person suffering from serious mental health issues poses a serious threat of harm to themself or others.
13 sponsors including Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Antonio Maestas (D-Albuquerque), Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas)
House Bill 49: Increase Felon Firearm Penalty – Enhances penalties for individuals who have been convicted of a serious, violent felony and are found in unlawful possession of a firearm.
Sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque), Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis), Nicole Chavez (R-Albuquerque), and Senator Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque)
Passed by House, but died in Senate
Senate Bill 40: Driver Privacy and Safety Act – Ensures that routine state surveillance data cannot be sold or shared with those looking to misuse it for immigration enforcement, to prosecute protected healthcare activity, or other Constitutionally-protected activities.
7 sponsors including Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), and Senators Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo), Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque), and Debbie O’Malley (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 264: Election Rights & Troops at Elections – Protects New Mexicans’ voting rights and the integrity of state elections, by prohibiting state or federal agencies from: having armed staff at polling places or ballot boxes, changing voter qualifications, conducting elections in ways contrary to state law, interfering with the right to vote and access polls, or interfering with the work of clerks, poll workers, or the Secretary of State.
Sponsored by Senators Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque),
Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo), Angel Charley (D-Acoma), and Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces)
House Bill 255: Public Safety Workforce Building Program – Merges existing workforce funds for various law enforcement into a single Public Safety Workforce Building Program, to help dollars flow to more quickly and efficiently to local agencies to recruit, retain, and train public safety staff, including police, firefighters, corrections and detention officers, and district attorneys and public defenders.
Sponsored by Reps. Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque), Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces), D. Wonda Johnson (D-Church Rock), and Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad)
House Bill 95: Additional Second Judicial Court – Creates an additional judgeship in the Second Judicial District’s Family Court, helping address cases in a more timely manner.
Sponsored by House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 128: Firefighter Occupational Disease Disablement – Expands the medical conditions for which firefighters can receive workers’ compensation, and shortens the qualifying length of service.
7 sponsors including House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), Reps. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque), Charlotte Little (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Cindy Nava (R-Bernalillo)
Education & Child Well-Being
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Continues to fund cradle-to-career educational opportunities for New Mexico’s children and invests in educators, so the state can recruit and retain the best and the brightest.
- Establishes a sustainable framework for a high-quality, universal childcare system, including over $60 million annually to ensure early childhood educators are paid a good, living wage through the wage and career lattice, so New Mexico can recruit and retain quality providers and build the capacity needed to fully implement the program
- Provides recurring funding for the Office of the Child Advocate, which serves as an independent watchdog for children and families in the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)
- Allocates a total of $4.7 billion in recurring funding for public education
- Fully funds the Black, Hispanic, and Multicultural Education Acts
- Dedicates over $73 million in recurring funding to decrease healthcare costs for teachers (80/20), so educators and school staff can keep more of what they earn
- Increases funding for the Teacher Loan Repayment Program and Educator Fellows Program to retain and attract more educators to New Mexico
- Creates a first-of-its-kind Higher Education Major Projects Fund, which will fully fund the UNM School of Medicine expansion, a mixed-use humanities building at NMSU, and student life and housing projects statewide
- Appropriates additional higher ed funding for athletics, building improvements, research and service projects, and expanded supports for Native students
- Dedicates $18 million to Career Technical Education programs
Sponsored by Reps. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
Senate Bill 241: Childcare Assistance Program Act – Builds on New Mexico’s transformative multi-billion-dollar investments in early childhood education and care to establish a sustainable, high-quality universal childcare system that prioritizes families in need and supports educators.
8 sponsors including Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces) and Senators George Muñoz (D-Gallup),
Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), Michael Padilla (D-Albuquerque), Bobby Gonzales (D-Ranchos de Taos)
Senate Bill 96: Regulated Childcare Zoning Requirements – Protects licensed, in-home childcare providers from unnecessary restrictions, fees, taxes, or bans from local zoning authorities and HOAs.
Sponsored by Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe) and Senators Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque) and
Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe)
House Bill 8: Higher Ed Major Projects Fund – Creates a first-of-its-kind Higher Education Major Projects Fund, which will fully fund the UNM School of Medicine expansion, a mixed-use humanities building at NMSU, and student life and housing projects statewide.
Sponsored by Reps. Anita Gonzales (D-Las Vegas) and Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces), House Majority Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), and Senator Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas)
House Joint Resolution 1: Boards of Regents Nominating Committees– Allows voters to decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to create nominating committees that would select regent candidates for the state’s educational institutions, and whether to allow each institution’s student body to nominate their student regents.
Sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) and Senator Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces)
As a Constitutional Amendment, this legislation does not require a signature from the Governor before going to the voters.
Senate Bill 64: Create Office of Special Education – Creates the Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department.
Sponsored by Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo)
Senate Bill 29: Math Requirement for Teaching Licenses – Implements new teaching, monitoring, and reporting requirements to improve math education in New Mexico’s public schools.
Sponsored by Reps. Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque) and Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho), and Senator William Soules (D-Las Cruces)
Senate Bill 37: High Quality Literacy Instruction Act – Implements new curriculum and reporting requirements to enhance reading curriculum in New Mexico’s public schools and improve literacy.
7 sponsors including by Reps Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) and Catherine Cullen (R-Rio Rancho), and Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 253: Public Education Changes – Creates reporting requirements for virtual learning programs within the state’s public schools, to make sure all kids are getting a good education and the state’s educational funding is going where it’s needed most.
Sponsored by Reps. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque), Susan Herrera (D-Embudo), and William Soules (D-Las Cruces)
Economic Development & Infrastructure
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Continues to support the growth and diversification of New Mexico’s economy and fosters a strong, resilient business environment that spans the state’s urban and rural areas, along with investing in the infrastructure our communities need.
- Dedicates more than $200 million to economic development, including:
- $75 million for research and development initiatives to attract innovative and growing industries to the state
- $25 million for circular economy and advanced technology
- $20 million for innovation hubs
- $13 million to support New Mexico’s outdoor economy
- $11.6 million in grants for start-ups and entrepreneurs
- Continued funding for grants through the Economic Development Department’s (EDD) Creative Industries Division
- Funding to support the development of quantum ecosystems
- Invests $75 million in New Mexico’s transition to clean, sustainable energy, with:
- $25 million to complete community energy projects
- $10 million for geothermal development and investments
- $10 million for grid modernization, including microgrid development
- $1.5 million to install community solar at the Public Regulation Commission
- Provides $5 million annually for cyber security at state agencies and universities, with an additional $21 million in one-time funding
Sponsored by Reps. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) and Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque)
House Bill 124: New Americans Division in WSD – Establishes the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department (WSD) to help immigrant families integrate into New Mexico’s communities and support this significant and growing segment of the workforce.
17 sponsors including Rep. Cristina Parajón (D-Albuquerque), House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe), House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino), Rep. Yanira Gurrola (D-Albuquerque) and Senator Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo)
*Senate Bill 2: State Highway Project Bonds – Provides funding for transportation infrastructure across the state, including road improvements and bridge repairs.
19 sponsors inc. Rep. Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque), Senators Bobby Gonzales (D-Ranchos de Taos), George Muñoz (D-Gallup), Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas), and Benny Shendo, Jr. (D-Jemez Pueblo)
House Bill 371: Land Grant-Merced & Acequia Infrastructure – Establishes a state trust fund to build long-term revenue for land grant-merced and acequia infrastructure, while also creating a short-term mechanism to help meet the immediate infrastructure needs in these communities.
Sponsored by Reps. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe) and Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), and Senators Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) and Leo Jaramillo (D-Española)
Passed by House, but died in Senate
Environment & Energy
HB 2: General Appropriations Act – Makes significant investments to protect New Mexico’s water supply and other natural resources, with increased resources for state agencies, as well as funding for research and improvement programs.
- Dedicates over $350 million for water projects, including $100 million to the Water Project Fund for water infrastructure projects statewide
- Allocates $85 million for land restoration, including funding for communities impacted by natural disasters, along with $2 million for wildfire mitigation technologies to better protect our forests and communities
- Provides dedicated funding for critical local projects, including $2.5 million for acequia projects and $9 million to the Irrigation and Construction Works Fund
- Delivers $22.5 million to Lower Rio Grande Water Settlement projects to fulfill Texas v. New Mexico’s obligations and ensure water security in Southern New Mexico
- Continues funding for Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- Provides $15 million to support New Mexico’s River Stewards Program
- Appropriates $2.5 million to the Office of the State Engineer to implement the Water Security Planning Act
- Dedicates $2 million for clean water testing and to address well water contamination
…