OPEN. IF CONDITIONS CHANGE. THEY WILL STAY READY THROUGH APRIL 15TH. WELL, TODAY WAS THE FINAL DAY FOR GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM TO SIGN OR VETO BILLS THAT WERE PASSED DURING THIS YEAR’S SESSION. LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN SENDING 74 BILLS TO HER DESK, AMONG THEM THE STATE BUDGET AND UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE. ALIYAH CHAVEZ HAS DETAILS ON THE BILLS PASSED AND THE ONES THE GOVERNOR VETOED. HOUSE BILL 99 MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM IS NOW HERE BY LAW. NEW MEXICO WITH 72 NEW LAWS WEDNESDAY. THE DEADLINE FOR GOVERNOR MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM TO ACT. ONE OF THE BIGGEST BIPARTISAN WINS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM, WHICH LIMITS PUNITIVE DAMAGES. IN CERTAIN CASES, IT WILL AFFECT THE LIVES AND HELP THE LIVES OF EVERY NEW MEXICAN. AND IT’S FAIR AND BALANCED LEGISLATION. ALSO, A NEW LAW, THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT, WHICH WILL MAKE IT THAT MUCH EASIER NOW FOR DOCTORS TO MOVE HERE AND IMMEDIATELY GET LICENSURE AND OR PRACTICE VIRTUALLY. WEDNESDAY, THE GOVERNOR SIGNING OFF ON AN $11.1 BILLION SPENDING PLAN. THERE WAS OTHER BILLS THAT GOT LESS ATTENTION. ONE IS A NEW DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOCUSED ON SAFETY AROUND PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES. ANOTHER GIVES WORKER’S COMP COVERAGE FOR FIREFIGHTERS WHO DEVELOP CERTAIN CANCERS, AND THERE’S A BAN ON FACILITY FEES. YOU GET A BILL FOR A VACCINE IN A CLINIC OR A TELEHEALTH VISIT, AND THEY TACK ON A 500 OR $1000 FACILITY FEE THAT IS NO LONGER ALLOWABLE. IN NEW MEXICO. LUJAN GRISHAM HAD ALREADY SIGNED MAJOR PRIORITIES EARLIER THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THE IMMIGRANT SAFETY ACT, TAKING ACTION THIS WEEK ON UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE. I REALLY WANTED SOMETHING THAT WOULD CREATE A SEA CHANGE FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN NEW MEXICO. FOR PARENTS LIKE JULIA WEISS, WHO HAS A THREE AND FIVE YEAR OLD. THE NEW CHILD CARE LAW OPENED DOORS. SHE SAYS IT ALLOWED HER TO TAKE A JOB WITH THE STARTUP ENERGY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, A MOVE SHE CALLS LIFE CHANGING. AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE BEFORE. OTHER NEW LAWS INCLUDE TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY AGAINST A PEACE OFFICER, MOVING FROM A THIRD TO A SECOND DEGREE FELONY, AND A CHANGE ROLLING BACK A PRIOR REQUIREMENT THAT REQUIRED INDUCED ABORTIONS TO BE REPORTED TO THE STATE WITHIN FIVE DAYS. REPUBLICANS, HOWEVER, SAY THEIR TOP CONCERN REMAINS UNMET, ARGUING THE SESSION DID NOT DELIVER ENOUGH ON PUBLIC SAFETY. SO WE REALLY HAVE WORK TO DO THIS COMING SESSION IN 2027. THAT WAS ALIYAH CHAVEZ REPORTING FOR US. THE GOVERNOR DID VETO TWO BILLS. ONE WOULD HAVE CAPPED HOW MUCH MONEY COULD BE SPENT WITHOUT LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL IN THE CASE OF RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES? ALSO, WHILE THE GOVERNOR DID SIGN THE BUDGET, SHE LINE ITEM VETO $21 MILLION FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS I
New Mexico Gov. signs 72 new laws, vetoes two bills in final legislative session
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrapped up her final legislative session by signing 72 new laws, including medical malpractice reform and universal child care, while vetoing two bills. Among the new laws is House Bill 99, which reforms medical malpractice by limiting punitive damages in certain cases. “It will affect the lives and help the lives of every New Mexican, and it’s fair and balanced legislation,” said Republican Sen. Nicole Tobiassen.Another new law is the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which aims to simplify the process for doctors to obtain licensure and practice in New Mexico. The governor approved an $11.1 billion spending plan, which marks an increase of $339.5 million, compared to 2026’s fiscal year budget. It leaves reserves as 26.4%. Additionally, Lujan Grisham signed the budget but removed $21 million in projects, including funding for a sports hall of fame and a lowrider museum in Española.Other new laws that received less attention during the session include new driver education requirements focused on safety around pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles; workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters who develop certain cancers; and a ban on facility fees. “You get a bill for a vaccine in a clinic or a telehealth visit, and they tack on a $500 or $1,000 facility fee. That is no longer allowable in New Mexico,” said a proponent of the ban.Earlier this year, Lujan Grisham signed major priorities, including the Immigrant Safety Act, and took action on universal child care. “I really wanted something that would create a sea change for families and children in New Mexico,” she said. For parents like Julia Wise, the new child care law has been transformative, allowing her to take a job with a startup energy technology company. “And that is not something that would have been possible before,” Wise said at the bill’s signing. Other new laws include tougher penalties for aggravated battery against a peace officer, moving from a third- to a second-degree felony, and a change rolling back a prior requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state within five days. Republicans expressed concern on Wednesday that the session did not adequately address public safety. “So we really have work to do this coming session in 2027,” Tobiassen said. The governor vetoed two bills: one that would have capped emergency spending without legislative approval and another that would have created a rebate program for companies purchasing low-carbon construction materials. Looking ahead to November’s general election, voters will decide on important ballot questions, including whether to eliminate the pocket veto, which allows a governor to ignore a bill without signing or formally vetoing it, and whether legislators should receive a salary of around $68,000 a year, as New Mexico is currently the only state that does not pay its lawmakers.Here is a full list of bills that were signed into law, as of March 11, 2026: House bill 1: Feed billSenate bill 19: School finance unit value resetSenate bill 1: Enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure CompactSenate bill 2: Financing of highway projectsHouse bill 9: Enacting Immigrant Safety ActHouse bill 50: Enacting the Social Work Licensure Interstate CompactSenate bill 104: Removal of Wildlife Commission membersHouse bill 253: Public education changesHouse bill 285: Disabled veteran property tax changesSenate bill 21: Medicare supplement open enrollmentSenate bill 111: Motor vehicle code “personal info”Senate bill 132: Doit software replacement plan & fundingSenate bill 143: Update certain agricultural feesHouse bill 43: Disability & survivor pensions changesHouse bill 61: Aggravated battery on police officerHouse bill 64: Public project revolving fund appropriationsHouse bill 154: Advanced energy product definitionHouse bill 165: Payment of certain IRB special assessmentsHouse bill 255: Public safety workforce building programSenate bill 40: Driver privacy and safety actSenate bill 41: Statute of limitations for certain sex crimesSenate bill 43: Parole requirement changesSenate bill 58: Extend property tax exemption periodHouse bill 7: Apprenticeship assistance act transfersHouse bill 95: Additional second judicial district judgeshipHouse bill 108: Watershed district taxes and directorsHouse bill 109: Water project fund changesHouse bill 111: Water law violation maximum penaltyHouse bill 158: Plans on use of certain fundsHouse bill 270: Contributions to apprentice & training PGMS.House bill 291: Tax changesSenate bill 38: Fees on registered pet foodSenate bill 48: State fairgrounds district bondsSenate bill 152: Low-income telecomm. assistance programHouse bill 63: NMFA water project fund projectsHouse bill 128: Firefighter occupational disease disablementHouse bill 184: Investment of conservation & legacy fundsHouse bill 200: New homes for New Mexico programHouse bill 4: Health care affordability fund distributionsHouse bill 34: School nurse licensure provisionsHouse bill 38: Wheelchair insurance coverageHouse bill 156: Repeal special session vaccination lawsHouse bill 306: Prohibit certain health care facility feesHouse bill 99: Medical malpractice changesHouse bill 66: Health care professional loan fund changesSenate bill 3: Commitment procedure changes & definitionsSenate bill 20: Prior authorization & prescription drugsSenate bill 30: Reporting of induced abortionsSenate bill 101: Health care delivery & access act repealHouse bill 8: Higher education major projects fundHouse bill 30: Teacher residency act changesHouse bill 47: School employee insurance programsSenate bill 29: Math requirements for teaching licenseSenate bill 34: High quality literacy instruction actSenate bill 64: Create Office Of Special EducationSenate bill 193: Acequia & ditch infrastructure fund transferSenate bill 73: Driver’s ed requirementsSenate bill 264: Public peace, health, safety & welfare election rights & troops at electionsHouse bill 247: Capital outlay changesHouse bill 80: Oil & gas conservation tax act changesHouse bill 124: New Americans division in WSDSenate bill 96: Regulated child care zoning requirementsSenate bill 241: Child care assistance program actHouse bill 70: PRC support agencyHouse bill 248: General obligation bondsHouse bill 256: Defibrillators at school athletic eventsHouse bill 2,3: General appropriation act of 2026 / Dept. Of Transportation Act of 2026House bill 332: Capital outlay reauthorizationsSenate bill 151: Corporate income tax changesSenate bill 273: Public peace, health, safety & welfare correction facility loss of revenueSenate bill 240: Capital outlay projects
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham wrapped up her final legislative session by signing 72 new laws, including medical malpractice reform and universal child care, while vetoing two bills.
Among the new laws is House Bill 99, which reforms medical malpractice by limiting punitive damages in certain cases.
“It will affect the lives and help the lives of every New Mexican, and it’s fair and balanced legislation,” said Republican Sen. Nicole Tobiassen.
Another new law is the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which aims to simplify the process for doctors to obtain licensure and practice in New Mexico.
The governor approved an $11.1 billion spending plan, which marks an increase of $339.5 million, compared to 2026’s fiscal year budget. It leaves reserves as 26.4%. Additionally, Lujan Grisham signed the budget but removed $21 million in projects, including funding for a sports hall of fame and a lowrider museum in Española.
Other new laws that received less attention during the session include new driver education requirements focused on safety around pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles; workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters who develop certain cancers; and a ban on facility fees.
“You get a bill for a vaccine in a clinic or a telehealth visit, and they tack on a $500 or $1,000 facility fee. That is no longer allowable in New Mexico,” said a proponent of the ban.
Earlier this year, Lujan Grisham signed major priorities, including the Immigrant Safety Act, and took action on universal child care. “I really wanted something that would create a sea change for families and children in New Mexico,” she said.
For parents like Julia Wise, the new child care law has been transformative, allowing her to take a job with a startup energy technology company. “And that is not something that would have been possible before,” Wise said at the bill’s signing.
Other new laws include tougher penalties for aggravated battery against a peace officer, moving from a third- to a second-degree felony, and a change rolling back a prior requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state within five days.
Republicans expressed concern on Wednesday that the session did not adequately address public safety. “So we really have work to do this coming session in 2027,” Tobiassen said.
The governor vetoed two bills: one that would have capped emergency spending without legislative approval and another that would have created a rebate program for companies purchasing low-carbon construction materials.
Looking ahead to November’s general election, voters will decide on important ballot questions, including whether to eliminate the pocket veto, which allows a governor to ignore a bill without signing or formally vetoing it, and whether legislators should receive a salary of around $68,000 a year, as New Mexico is currently the only state that does not pay its lawmakers.
Here is a full list of bills that were signed into law, as of March 11, 2026:
- House bill 1: Feed bill
- Senate bill 19: School finance unit value reset
- Senate bill 1: Enacting the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
- Senate bill 2: Financing of highway projects
- House bill 9: Enacting Immigrant Safety Act
- House bill 50: Enacting the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact
- Senate bill 104: Removal of Wildlife Commission members
- House bill 253: Public education changes
- House bill 285: Disabled veteran property tax changes
- Senate bill 21: Medicare supplement open enrollment
- Senate bill 111: Motor vehicle code “personal info”
- Senate bill 132: Doit software replacement plan & funding
- Senate bill 143: Update certain agricultural fees
- House bill 43: Disability & survivor pensions changes
- House bill 61: Aggravated battery on police officer
- House bill 64: Public project revolving fund appropriations
- House bill 154: Advanced energy product definition
- House bill 165: Payment of certain IRB special assessments
- House bill 255: Public safety workforce building program
- Senate bill 40: Driver privacy and safety act
- Senate bill 41: Statute of limitations for certain sex crimes
- Senate bill 43: Parole requirement changes
- Senate bill 58: Extend property tax exemption period
- House bill 7: Apprenticeship assistance act transfers
- House bill 95: Additional second judicial district judgeship
- House bill 108: Watershed district taxes and directors
- House bill 109: Water project fund changes
- House bill 111: Water law violation maximum penalty
- House bill 158: Plans on use of certain funds
- House bill 270: Contributions to apprentice & training PGMS.
- House bill 291: Tax changes
- Senate bill 38: Fees on registered pet food
- Senate bill 48: State fairgrounds district bonds
- Senate bill 152: Low-income telecomm. assistance program
- House bill 63: NMFA water project fund projects
- House bill 128: Firefighter occupational disease disablement
- House bill 184: Investment of conservation & legacy funds
- House bill 200: New homes for New Mexico program
- House bill 4: Health care affordability fund distributions
- House bill 34: School nurse licensure provisions
- House bill 38: Wheelchair insurance coverage
- House bill 156: Repeal special session vaccination laws
- House bill 306: Prohibit certain health care facility fees
- House bill 99: Medical malpractice changes
- House bill 66: Health care professional loan fund changes
- Senate bill 3: Commitment procedure changes & definitions
- Senate bill 20: Prior authorization & prescription drugs
- Senate bill 30: Reporting of induced abortions
- Senate bill 101: Health care delivery & access act repeal
- House bill 8: Higher education major projects fund
- House bill 30: Teacher residency act changes
- House bill 47: School employee insurance programs
- Senate bill 29: Math requirements for teaching license
- Senate bill 34: High quality literacy instruction act
- Senate bill 64: Create Office Of Special Education
- Senate bill 193: Acequia & ditch infrastructure fund transfer
- Senate bill 73: Driver’s ed requirements
- Senate bill 264: Public peace, health, safety & welfare election rights & troops at elections
- House bill 247: Capital outlay changes
- House bill 80: Oil & gas conservation tax act changes
- House bill 124: New Americans division in WSD
- Senate bill 96: Regulated child care zoning requirements
- Senate bill 241: Child care assistance program act
- House bill 70: PRC support agency
- House bill 248: General obligation bonds
- House bill 256: Defibrillators at school athletic events
- House bill 2,3: General appropriation act of 2026 / Dept. Of Transportation Act of 2026
- House bill 332: Capital outlay reauthorizations
- Senate bill 151: Corporate income tax changes
- Senate bill 273: Public peace, health, safety & welfare correction facility loss of revenue
- Senate bill 240: Capital outlay projects
