Civic Engagement

Legislative Roundup: Key Bills That Could Shape New Mexico’s Future

Learn more about several key bills addressing housing, digital equity, and nonprofit and legislative work that were introduced during New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session.

Samantha Carrillo

28 Mar 2025 • 4 min read

Photo by F McGady / CC BY 4.0

By Shannon Yvonne Moreau

New Mexico’s 60-day legislative session for 2025 wrapped on March 22. New Mexico Black Leadership Council followed a few key bills closely, especially those addressing housing and internet accessibility.

Here’s the status of those bills as of print time. In the next issue, we’ll tell you how they ultimately fared.

Tackling the Housing Crisis – Bills to protect renters and expand access to housing

HB 339 Housing Discrimination and Human Rights Act

Sponsors:
Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Doña Ana
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe

Gist: Amend the Human Rights Act to outlaw housing discrimination due to source of income

Purpose: Reduce unhoused crisis by requiring landlords to accept all types of lawful income

Status: Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee with a Do Pass recommendation

HB 453 Housing Creditworthiness Assistance Program

Sponsors:
Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, D-Bernalillo
Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Bernalillo

Gist: Amend the Affordable Housing act by creating and appropriating funds for a program that assists with rent payments for those participating in educational training on budgeting and credit scores

Purpose: Reduce unhoused crisis by giving a boost in housing resources and skills to those who need it

Status: Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee

SB 205 State Office of Housing Planning & Production

Sponsors:
Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo
Sen. Cindy Nava, D-Bernalillo & Sandoval
Rep. Meredith A. Dixon, D- Bernalillo
Sen. Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales, D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos
Rep. Janelle Anyanonu, D-Bernalillo

Gist: As the unhoused crisis is a state emergency, create an Office of Housing Planning and Production to take effect immediately.

Purpose: Reduce housing costs and increase housing availability

Status: Senate Finance Committee with a Do Pass recommendation

SB 267 Housing Application Fees

Sponsors:
Sen. Carrie Hamblen, D-Doña Ana
Sen. Heather Berghmans, D-Bernalillo
Sen. Leo Jaramillo, D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval & Santa Fe
Sen. Linda M. Trujillo, D-Santa Fe

Gist: Require rental managers to notify applicants of screening fees

Purpose: Decrease unhoused crisis by reducing excessive fees to apply for housing

Status: Scheduled for Senate Judiciary Committee on March 7 without recommendation

Bridging the Digital Divide – Funding increases for rural broadband and education

SB 126 Increase Rural Service Fund Allocations

Sponsor:
Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo

Gist: Increase funding for internet in rural areas from $30 million to $40 million

Purpose: Ensure internet service at affordable rates to underserved areas

Status: Scheduled for Senate Calendar on March 6 with a Do Pass recommendation

SB 401 Broadband for Education

Sponsors:
Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Bernalillo
Rep. Debra M. Sariñana, D-Bernalillo
Rep. Tara L. Lujan, D-Santa Fe
Rep. Joy Garratt, D-Bernalillo

Gist: Appropriate tax bond monies for educational technology infrastructure

Purpose: Ongoing investment in public schools

Status: Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee

CC BY Retha Ferguson / RF Studio via Pexels

Boosting Nonprofits – Proposed changes to allow state funding for private entities serving the public

HJR 11 Change Anti-donation Clause

Sponsors:
Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Bernalillo & Sandoval
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe
Rep. Christine Chandler, D- Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Bernalillo

Gist: Put on the next ballot a proposal to change New Mexico’s anti-donation clause to allow state donations to private entities for public use

Purpose: Increase funding sources to nonprofits, especially during crises

Status: House Judiciary Committee without recommendation

HB 290 Vibrant Communities Act

Sponsors:
Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe
Rep. Christine Chandler, D- Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe
Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Bernalillo

Gist: Regarding the anti-donation change, creates a process for nonprofits to apply for funding for projects that benefit the public

Purpose: Add safeguards against waste, fraud and abuse

Status: House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee

CC BY Alex Feldstein via Wikimedia Commons

Modernizing the Legislature – A push to finally pay New Mexico lawmakers

SJR 1 Legislative Salaries Commission

Sponsors:
Sen. Natalie Figueroa, D- Bernalillo
Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe
Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Bernalillo
Rep. Joy Garratt, D-Bernalillo
Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Doña Ana

Gist: Put on the next ballot a proposal to allow payment of salaries to state legislators

Purpose: As New Mexico is the only state that doesn’t pay legislators, bring New Mexico to the same level as the rest of the country, and eliminate financial barriers to serving

Status: Reported by Senate Finance Committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution

Your legislators represent you. Writing letters, emailing, or calling are impactful ways to let them know what matters to you and what you expect them to support.

Find your New Mexico Legislator:

www.nmlegis.gov/Members/Find_My_Legislator