2026 Legislative Session

New Mexico lawmakers took on a lengthy to-do list during the legislative session that wrapped late last week, passing laws related to medical malpractice, immigration detention facilities and election security.

A small clutch of Democratic legislators once again sinks a plan to dramatically reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

After a brief 30 days, the 37th New Mexico Legislature came to a close at noon on Thursday. It was the last regular session under Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who called it “remarkably productive” at a press conference shortly afterwards with House and Senate leadership.

The New Mexico Senate passed the Medical Malpractice Changes bill Tuesday night with only two votes against after arguing for almost three hours over ammendments eventually left off the bill. New Mexico has some of the highest malpractice payouts in the country, and House Bill 99 limits the damages awarded to about $900,000 for an independent provider and up to $6 million for a hospital.

Medical licensure compacts have been a priority this session as lawmakers attempt to address the health care worker shortage. One bill would allow dentists and dental hygienists licensed in other states to practice here more easily. But with less than a day left in the session, that bill appears to have stalled.

Just one day after it was created by the state legislature, the "Epstein Truth Commission” met for the first time this morning. The Commission announced the beginning of an investigation into illegal activity at sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s former Zorro ranch outside of Santa Fe. The commission will issue subpoenas and compel testimony if necessary to get the “full picture” of what happened on the nearly 10,000 acres of remote high desert.

Over the weekend, the Senate approved a tax package that includes provisions that would exempt affordable housing projects from paying tax on construction and labor. The bill is hurtling through the legislation process as the final day of the legislature this Thursday looms ever closer. The bill passed its second committee on Friday, only two days before Sunday’s Senate floor vote.

The United States is in very uncertain times for immigrants and people of color regardless of immigration status. But in New Mexico, these communities have had a couple big moments of joy over the past week.

Lawmakers from the Senate Education committee advanced a proposed bill on Monday that would require all school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy banning students from using their cell phones during the school day.

Lawmakers are once again debating how to reform New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws this session, reigniting a long-running fight over balancing patient rights and the cost of practicing medicine.