Kevin Eades CANs Chair Molzen-Corbin & Associates | Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) will continue to review the Heat Illness and Injury Prevention proposal over the next six months. Initially scheduled for a hearing in July, the meeting has been rescheduled to January 12, 2026, due to significant public input.
Bruce Stidworthy, CEO of Bohannan Huston and chair of Local Government Advocacy for the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (GACC), presented concerns about the proposal during a May 22 Board of Directors meeting. He indicated that the proposal might inadvertently affect New Mexico's ability to address critical economic issues, particularly in housing, infrastructure, and job creation.
Kelly Roepke-Orth, president and CEO of Associated General Contractors, elaborated on why the Chamber should oppose the proposal. The main concerns highlighted were mandatory rest breaks at 90°F for construction workers, operational impacts, mental health and workforce well-being, and financial burdens.
Stidworthy proposed opposing the regulation and notifying EIB of this stance. The Board unanimously supported this motion. On May 23, GACC formalized its opposition with a letter signed by Terri Cole, president and CEO, alongside Del Esparza, chairman of the board.
The draft heat rule was published by NMED in March with an initial hearing planned for July. However, following varied responses from different groups regarding support or opposition to the rule, NMED decided to extend its timeline for rulemaking. Consequently, EIB postponed its hearing first to November and then further to January.
An NMED spokesperson mentioned that public comment feedback would be reviewed over a month. In July and August, stakeholder roundtables will be conducted for additional data collection. An amendment is expected by October 1st before it is heard by EIB on January 12th.
