Legislative Session Update: March 19

With just four days remaining in the 2025 legislative session, it's been a whirlwind week at the Roundhouse. Several significant business-related developments have taken place, with both victories and ongoing challenges for the business community.

Paid Family & Medical Leave Defeated

​A major point of discussion this session was House Bill 11, the Paid Family Medical Leave Act. The bill failed to advance out of Senate Finance, marking a win for the business community. The Santa Fe Chamber, along with a coalition that included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Hispano Chamber, the Alamogordo and Las Cruces Chambers, the Restaurant Association, and the Hospitality Association, worked diligently to educate lawmakers on the concerns surrounding this bill. Special thanks go to Senate Finance Chair George Muñoz, Vice Chair Benny Shendo, as well as Senators Bobby Gonzales and Pete Campos, for recognizing the need for a more measured approach. This issue is likely to return next year, and discussions will continue on how to create a balanced solution that benefits both employees and employers.

​Key Bills Signed by the Governor

Several high-priority bills have already been signed into law:

• House Bill 1 (The Feed Bill):
  Covers the costs of the legislative session.
  
  
• House Bill 8:
  Omnibus Public Safety Reform Bill.
  
  
• Senate Bill 1:
  Establishes a trust fund for behavioral health initiatives.
  
  
• Senate Bill 3:
  ​Develops a regional behavioral health coordination plan with the Office of the Courts.

Legislation Passed by Both Chambers,
Awaiting the Governor’s Action
​

• House Bill 5:
  Establishes the Office of Child Advocates within the NM Department of Justice.
  
  
• House Bill 47:
  Raises the veterans' property tax exemption from $4,000 to $10,000.
  
  
• House Joint Resolution 2:
  Proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate pocket vetoes.
  
  
• Senate Bill 163:
  Ensures students can wear tribal regalia at graduation.
  
  
• Senate Bill 417:
  Clarifies state law regarding parenthood of children conceived via assisted reproductive methods.

Major Bills Still in Play

With four days left, several significant measures are still making their way through the process:
​

• House Bill 2 (State Budget):
  A $10.8 billion budget reflecting increased revenues from the oil and gas industry.
  
  
• House Bill 7 (Children’s Future Act):
  Establishes "baby bonds" to invest in future economic opportunities for NM youth.
  
  
• House Bill 9:
  Bans state and local governments from contracting with the federal government for civil immigration detention.
  
  
• House Bill 10:
  Grants law enforcement authority to regulate illicit cannabis markets.
  
  
• House Bill 12:
  Expands the state’s extreme risk firearm protection law.
  
  
• House Bill 14:
  Creates a new Earned Income Tax Credit, replacing the Working Families Tax Credit.
  
  
• House Bill 37:
  Allows for the treatment and reuse of brackish water, supporting NM’s long-term water strategy.
  
  
• House Bill 143:
  Introduces new transparency measures for lobbyist disclosures.
  
  
• House Bill 166:
  Expands liquor license options for restaurants.
  
  
• House Bill 197:
  Expands the NM Silver Alert System to include elders showing signs of cognitive decline without requiring an official diagnosis.
  
  
• House Bill 586:
  Increases oversight of private equity acquisitions of hospitals, which has raised concerns among healthcare providers.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the final days of the session, anything can happen. The budget remains a priority, and last-minute negotiations will determine the fate of many pending bills. The Santa Fe Chamber will continue monitoring developments and advocating for policies that support our business community.

Stay tuned for our final post-session update, where we will recap the outcomes and what they mean for businesses in New Mexico.