The New Mexico Legislative Session for 2025 has ended, prompting reflection on the environmental and climate initiatives deliberated during this period. The session observed significant progress on several legislative fronts, although some expectations remain unmet. Gratitude is expressed towards those who advocated for a sustainable future through their dedication and collective efforts.
Several priority bills have successfully passed and are now awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law. These include the Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act (SB 21), which reinstates federal clean water protections for New Mexico’s streams. The Community Benefit Fund (SB 48) secured $210 million to support communities disproportionately impacted by climate change in various projects. Additionally, the Innovation in State Government Fund (SB 83) with $13.5 million aims to empower agencies in sustainable energy innovation, while the Low-Income Utility Users bill (SB 156) seeks to protect low-income households’ solar energy savings.
Among other passed priorities is the Public Utility Structures bill (HB 91), which supports reduced utility bills for vulnerable populations. The New Mexico Solar Access Fund (HB 128) aims to foster solar and storage projects for public facilities. Senate Memorial 14 and House Memorial 37 underscore the ecological and cultural protection of Mount Taylor from uranium mining.
However, several bills did not pass. These hold critical roles for future legislative sessions, including comprehensive climate legislation (SB 4), the Children’s Health Protection Zones (HB 35), and climate change resilience measures (HB 108, HB 109). Environmental protections for hydraulic fracturing (HB 222) and the management of electric vehicle batteries' lifecycle (HB 310) were also left unaddressed.
Furthermore, funds proposed for the cleanup of contaminated sites (HB 333) and provisions for water security (HB 423) await future reconsideration. The Green Amendment (HJR 3, SJR 4), proposed to enshrine environmental rights in the state constitution, did not gain approval.
Certain bills faced opposition, such as the Zero Emission Vehicle Rule (SB 139) and the Strategic Water Supply (HB 137), which was controversial despite passing. Additionally, attempts to prevent regulations on vehicle energy sources (HB 270) and to establish reclaimed water authorities (HB 311) were tabled.
