14 March 2025: Bills in play

As the session soon draws to a close, Representative Cates continues working on several bills:

• HB 38 makes it a crime to knowingly possess or transport a part designed to convert a semiautomatic weapon into a fully automatic weapon. This has long been a federal crime, but HB 38 would let our State authorities charge this crime.
• HB 26 extends the definition of ticket scalping include selling tickets to events presented by the state or its political subdivisions, or by formally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporations..
• House Bill 41 provides the 20% state match required for the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for New Mexico. HB41 also appropriates $2,000,000 to the local government planning fund for expenditure in FY26.
• House Bill 120, the Accessibility Act, aims to ensure that all state agency websites, mobile applications, and physical facilities comply with digital and physical accessibility standards under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
• House Bill 131 would transfer the authority for overseeing caregiver’s criminal history checks to the Health Care Authority. It also adds to the list of disqualifying felony convictions for employment as a caregiver.
• House Bill 192 represents a strategic legislative initiative aimed at improving and ensuring that public safety agencies have the necessary resources to maintain seamless communication.
• House Bill 212, the PFAS Protection Act, represents a significant legislative effort aims to mitigate the risks and environmental impact of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in New Mexico.
• House Bill 357 requires the Health Care Authority to publish rules to exclude the gross receipts taxes from the Mi Via Waiver recipient’s individual budgetary allotment and requires the providers to bill the GRT for their services as a separate line item.
• Senate Bill 16 amends the Election Code to allow voters unaffiliated with a major party to select a major party ballot without changing their voter registration status and vote in a primary election.