The New Mexico Senate passed several significant bills on March 15, 2025. Senate Bill 259 was unanimously approved with a vote of 32-0. The bill mandates that donation bins must clearly disclose if the contents will benefit a for-profit entity. Non-profits using third-party for-profit entities for campaigns must provide transparency reports online. For-profit thrift stores using charitable messaging must disclose their nature to consumers.
Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), the sponsor of SB 259, stated, “We need this bill so that when any of us are donating goods, we know what those donations are going to. If I want to make sure my donations are going to an organization that is a non-profit doing good things in our community, I should be able to have that information.”
Senate Bill 120, which aims to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services, passed by a vote of 19-14. This legislation intends to make care more affordable and reduce costly emergency interventions.
“Cost sharing can be quite sizable, particularly if patients are going into rehab,” said Senator Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque), the sponsor of SB 120. “When there are financial barriers, it’s been shown that people don’t take up the services they need.”
Senate Bill 535 addresses funding gaps in critical statewide programs by raising fees paid by employers and employees over eight years. It also establishes a new 988 Lifeline Fund supported by increased telecommunications relay service surcharges.
“The 988 Lifeline Fund will save the lives of New Mexicans facing mental health struggles,” shared Senator George Muñoz (D-Gallup), the sponsor of SB 535.
Senate Bill 456 seeks to make permanent the interim Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee and grant it subpoena power. The bill passed with a vote of 24-16.
“This deserves to be a permanent committee because it provides an oversight of the judicial branch,” said Senator Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), sponsor of SB 456.
Other bills discussed included Senate Bill 226 regarding truck tractor max speed limits (passed 17-13), Senate Bill 411 concerning physician loan repayment (passed 31-0), and Senate Bill 127 on movie exemption from barber & cosmetic act (passed 28-0).
Additionally, the Senate hosted its first "Bobby’s Bolo Battle," introduced by Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales (D – Ranchos De Taos). The competition celebrated bolo tie fashion among senators and staffers, with Senator George Muñoz winning top honors and offering his prize for charity auction.
