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New Mexico Legislature

Latest from the New Mexico Legislature

  • Session nears midway point

    Dan Boyd

    New Mexico's 30-day legislative sessions held in even-numbered years are often described as a sprint.

    This year's legislative dash will hit its halfway on Wednesday, which is also the last day for legislation to be filed.

    However, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham can still issue executive messages authorizing filed bills for legislative consideration throughout the session's duration.

    This year's legislative session ends Feb. 19.

  • Immigration Detention Center bill passes the House

    Gillian Barkhurst

    House Bill 9 passed the House on a 40-29 vote, successfully reaching the halfway point toward becoming law.

    Though a similar bill also passed the house last year by 35-25 vote, this measure saw additional support and criticism.

    "HB nine does not pretend that we can control the federal government," said cosponsor Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces before the vote. "It does something more honest. It says New Mexico will not be complicit."

    The bill could close three immigration detention centers in New Mexico.

  • A tense exchange

    Gillian Barkhurst

    During ongoing debate on House Bill 9, Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo drilled one of the bill’s sponsors on potential financial ramifications of passing the proposed legislation.

    Block told the House floor that he has had conversations with officials in President Donald Trump’s administration who threatened to further cut federal funding to the state if HB 9 is passed.

    Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, tries to ammend HB 9 during debate of the bill on the House Floor, Friday, January 30, 2026.

    “Are you okay, (that) once we pass this legislation, we might lose out on billions of dollars in revenue?” Block said. “All because we want to make a statement with a bill that actually doesn't do anything to stop (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) whatsoever.”

    The bill’s cosponsor, Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, fired back, saying that morals are worth more than money.

    “I think we're keenly aware as a state that this administration has taken away billions of dollars from us already,” Romero said. “...Mr. Speaker, gentleman, we will not be bullied by this. We will stand in our rights. We will stand in our values.”

  • Legislators cite economic woes during HB 9 debate

    Gillian Barkhurst

    During debate in the House, some legislators expressed fear of economic downturn in their communities if House Bill 9 passes. Immigration detention centers are primary employers in several rural counties.

    Rep. Patricia Lundstrom D-Gallup, though she said she condemns U.S. Immigrant and Customs Enforcement’s actions, also said her constituents will lose jobs and tax revenue if the bill passes.

    “We need help, We need help,” Lundstrom said. “All our base industries have been swept away.”

    Lundstrom pleaded with legislators to dedicate $50,000 of their capital outlay pools to aid the rural area’s economy.

    In response, House Speaker Rep. Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque said he would personally dedicate $100,000 of his capital outlay to Lundstrom's district.

  • Debate begins

    Gillian Barkhurst

    The New Mexico House of Representatives have started the debate clock on House Bill 9, a proposed law that could shutter Immigration Detention Centers in New Mexico. The bill is expected to pass the house, though it has fierce opponents in several legislators from rural New Mexico.

    Under House rules, the bill can be debated for a maximum of three hours before a vote must occur.

At a glance — photos from the 2026 session

Gilbert Martinez, from Santa Fe, takes part in the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Over 300 people attended the event that included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol. After the rally several people walked the hall of the State Capitol and talked to legislators.
Allen Sánchez, executive director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops and others pray during the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The event included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol.
Archbishop John C. Wester, left, with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Bishop Peter Baldacchino, center, with the Diocese of Las Cruces, and Bishop James S. Wall, third from right, with the Diocese of Gallup, take part in the Sanctity of Life Awareness and Unity Day, outside the Roundhouse, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The event included a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and a march to the State Capitol. After the rally participants walked the hall of the Roundhouse to talk to legislators.
Samantha Shorty, 17, left, and Nellanei Kee, 18, both from Shiprock, wonder around the Rotunda of the Roundhouse, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They were among hundreds of students visiting the Roundhouse on FFA Day at the Legislature. The students held a rally, wondered halls and visited with representatives. Several were recongnized in the House and Senate chambers.
Naomi Celote, 13, and other dancers from the National Dance Institute, in Santa Fe, perform on the House Floor, at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The group also performed in the Senate Chambers.
Olga Grays, a daycare worker from Las Cruces, holds her 9 month old grandson Elias Rizo, during a news conference of healthcare at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Abuko Estrada, with NMCLP, takes part in a news conference of healthcare at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
Olga Grays, a daycare worker from Las Cruces, holds her 9 month old grandson Elias Rizo, during rally supporting legislation for children, including universal daycare, at the Roundhouse, in Santa Fe, Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Grays also attended a news conference on healthcare while at the State Capitol.
Rhett Smith, left, 15, and Rio Rigoni, 14, both from Roy, wait to be introduced on the House Floor Tuesday, January 27, 2026. They were among hundreds of agriculture students visiting the Roundhouse on FFA Day at the Legislature. The students held a rally, wondered halls and visited with representatives.
Kayla Lyall, and others with the National Institute of Flamenco, perform in the Rotunda of the State Capitol, Monday, January 26, 2026. They and other were there to take part in Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Day at the Legislature.
Senator Phil Griego, D-San Jose, talks with other Senate members during the start of the special session of the New Mexico Legislature, September 5, 2001.
Rep. Nicole Chavez, R-Albuquerque, holds her grandaughter Adelina Uriate, 9 months, during the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Jarelli Ruiz, left, 15, and members of a mariachi band from Artisco Heritage High School, perform on the House Floor during the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Newly appointed Sen. Rex Wilson, R-Ancho, left, talks with Sen Min. Whip John "Pat" Woods, R-Broadview, before the start of the legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, center, greets House Maj. Leader Reena Szczepanski as the Senate enters the House Chambers to hear Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods, R-Broadview, left, and Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, listen to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham deliver her final State of the State address on Tuesday.
Jolie hughes, center, and several hundred people representing 25 different groups, marched from the Santa Fe Plaza to the Roundhouse on the first day of the 2026 legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham greets her brother Greg Lujan as she enters the House chambers to give her final State of the State address to New Mexico lawmakers on Tuesday. The governor's speech included a call for bipartisanship and an appeal to legislators to act on bills related to health care, crime and the environment during this year's 30-day session.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, right, takes a selfie with Reps. Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, left, and Kristina Ortez, D-Taos, as she leaves the House chambers after giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday. The governor delivered her speech on the opening day of a 30-day legislative session.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
House Min. Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, second from left, and other Republican legislators, sit quietly as others applaud Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for suggesting an assault weapons ban during her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, in the House Chambers, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, center, hugs Patricia Aguirre, from Las Cruces, as she leaves the House Chambers after giving her final State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
House Min. Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, and other Representatives get ready for the start of a special session of the New Mexico Legislature, in Santa Fe, Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
From left, Robert Chavez, Kayla Stuhlmann and Leo Gonzales, all work with IT for the Legislative Council Service, work on issues with the web casting in the House Chambers, Friday, January 16, 2026. Dozens of people were busy getting ready for the start of the 2026 legislative session on Tuesday.
Senate Minority Leader William Sharer, R-Farmington, delivers the Republican response to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's State of the State address on Tuesday, as other Senate Republicans look on. Some GOP legislators expressed support for parts of Lujan Grisham's agenda, while expressing opposition to her universal child care initiative.
Newly appointed Sen. Rex Wilson, R-Ancho, gets setted in before the start of the legislative session, Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Anna Quintana, a deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, works in the House Chambers on Friday. Dozens of people were busy getting ready for the start of the 2026 legislative session on Tuesday.

Headlines from the 2026 session

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