RELEASE: Three priority bills clear the New Mexico Senate

[Skip to content](#main-content)

# PRESS RELEASES

1. [Home](https://www.governor.state.nm.us) 2. [Press Releases](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/press-releases/) 3. Three priority bills clear the New Mexico Senate

# Three priority bills clear the New Mexico Senate

Jan 23, 2026 | [Press Releases](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/press-releases/)


SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate on Friday approved three of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s priority bills for the 30-day legislative session, moving them to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The bills would authorize medical licensing compacts, establish a $1.5 billion transportation bonding package and modernize the definition of “harm to self and others,” a key component of the governor’s public safety agenda.

“Senate passage of these critical pieces of legislation during the first week of the 30-day session is an important early win,” **Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham** said. “I’m grateful to Majority Leader Peter Wirth for prioritizing these bills, and to all senators who voted in support. Hopefully, the House will consider these bills without delay and send them to my desk so I can sign them into law for the benefit of all New Mexicans.”

[SB 1](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=1&year=26): **Medical licensing compacts**

Proposed by Gov. Lujan Grisham and sponsored by Senators Linda Trujillo, Katy M. Duhigg, Nicole Tobiassen and Representatives Pamelya Herndon and Marian Matthews. Senate Bill 1 would authorize inter-state medical licensing compacts to license qualified physicians more simply and quickly while preserving state regulatory authority.

Forty-three states, including those bordering New Mexico, participate in the licensure compacts. The compacts are part of a broader effort by the Lujan Grisham Administration to ease physician workforce shortages across the state.

[SB 2](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=2&year=26): **$1.5 billion transportation bonding package **Proposed by Gov. Lujan Grisham and sponsored by Senators Pete Campos, Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales, George K. Muñoz, Benny Shendo, Jr. and Representative Art De La Cruz, Senate Bill 2 would authorize up to $1.5 billion in transportation bonds to fund major state road projects, better leverage federal funds and free up general fund dollars for local improvements for years to come.

The legislation, a reintroduction of 2025’s [HB 145](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=145&year=25), grants the State Transportation Commission authority to issue bonds over multiple years to stabilize funding for critical state road and bridge projects. The bonds would fund projects included in the State Transportation Improvement Plan and require annual legislative reporting. The bonding package would generate at least $70 million each year in new, recurring revenue without raising fuel taxes.

The legislation aims to address New Mexico’s $7.5 billion transportation funding shortfall. A January 2026 report by TRIP, a national transportation research organization, found that 56% of state and local roads in New Mexico are in poor or mediocre condition, costing drivers $3.3 billion each year in vehicle repairs, fuel consumption and lost time.

“New Mexicans deserve roads and bridges that are safe, reliable and built to last — and that takes sustained investment,” said Lujan Grisham. “This bill gives us the tools to get major projects done in all corners of the state, while providing more stability for the hard-working New Mexicans who build our roads. We’re making a long-term commitment to our infrastructure because our economy and our communities depend on it.”

The bonding bill establishes a three-part revenue package: a 35% increase to the weight distance tax, which would generate $37.8 million each year from heavy commercial vehicles, a 25% increase to vehicle registration fees, which would generate $31.4 million each year and a new electric and hybrid vehicle surcharge, which would generate $700,000 each year. The proposed rates have been developed in consultation with legislators and relevant stakeholders, including the New Mexico Trucking Association. The new revenue will flow into the state road fund, covering debt service on the bonds.

[SB 3](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=3&year=26): **Definition of harm to self and others** Senate Bill 3, proposed by Gov. Lujan Grisham and sponsored by Senators Antonio Maestas, Crystal Brantley, Pete Campos and Representative Pamelya Herndon, would amend the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act by redefining “harm to self” and “harm to others.” The bill would clarify the definition of harm to self to include an individual’s lack of capacity to make decisions related to self-care, such as food, shelter, medical care and protection from serious injury or death. It would also update the definition of harm to others to focus on recent conduct that creates a substantial risk of serious bodily harm that is likely to be repeated.

The bill would establish a more workable legal standard for intervention for individuals experiencing severe mental illness who are at high risk of harming themselves or others. Under current law, intervention is often delayed until a person reaches imminent danger or experiences repeated hospitalization, incarceration or significant deterioration. SB 3 allows doctors, courts, law enforcement and close family members to petition earlier for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) using clear, defined legal criteria rather than crisis-based thresholds. AOT is a supervised, community-based mental health treatment option that allows individuals to remain in the community while receiving outpatient services.

SB 3 would provide courts with clearer, statewide statutory guidance and does not expand confinement or reduce due process protections. Instead, it shifts the focus from speculative future behavior to recent conduct that demonstrates a risk of harm. For individuals lacking decisional capacity, the bill establishes a balanced framework that allows for earlier intervention, prevents avoidable harm and provides greater legal clarity.

#### Recent Posts

*  [Governor appoints Rebecca Roose as Natural Resources Trustee](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/06/05/governor-appoints-rebecca-roose-as-natural-resources-trustee/)  * [U.S. Supreme Court approves Rio Grande compact settlement – Agreement ends 13-year interstate dispute](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/05/28/u-s-supreme-court-approves-rio-grande-compact-settlement-agreement-ends-13-year-interstate-dispute/)  * [Health care loan repayment expands to address doctor shortage – Record expansion part of strategy to add health providers in NM](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/05/26/health-care-loan-repayment-expands-to-address-doctor-shortage-record-expansion-part-of-strategy-to-add-health-providers-in-nm/) * [Governor declares statewide drought and severe fire conditions – Agencies will coordinate community and water protection efforts](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/05/20/governor-declares-statewide-drought-and-severe-fire-conditions-agencies-will-coordinate-community-and-water-protection-efforts/)    * [Governor Lujan Grisham leads trade mission to Japan](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/05/11/governor-lujan-grisham-leads-trade-mission-to-japan/)

## Press Release Archive

* [June 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/06/) (1) * [May 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/05/) (6) * [April 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/04/) (5) * [March 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/03/) (10) * [February 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/02/) (21) * [January 2026](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2026/01/) (10) * [December 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/12/) (7) * [November 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/11/) (6) * [October 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/10/) (11) * [September 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/09/) (11) * [August 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/08/) (7) * [July 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/07/) (9) * [June 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/06/) (10) * [May 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/05/) (4) * [April 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/04/) (12) * [March 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/03/) (13) * [February 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/02/) (11) * [January 2025](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2025/01/) (11) * [December 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/12/) (5) * [November 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/11/) (9) * [October 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/10/) (10) * [September 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/09/) (16) * [August 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/08/) (9) * [July 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/07/) (13) * [June 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/06/) (17) * [May 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/05/) (5) * [April 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/04/) (9) * [March 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/03/) (13) * [February 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/02/) (19) * [January 2024](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2024/01/) (13) * [December 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/12/) (10) * [November 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/11/) (8) * [October 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/10/) (13) * [September 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/09/) (6) * [August 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/08/) (9) * [July 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/07/) (16) * [June 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/06/) (19) * [May 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/05/) (17) * [April 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/04/) (11) * [March 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/03/) (24) * [February 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/02/) (23) * [January 2023](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2023/01/) (23) * [December 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/12/) (14) * [November 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/11/) (17) * [October 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/10/) (19) * [September 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/09/) (22) * [August 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/08/) (26) * [July 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/07/) (27) * [June 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/06/) (23) * [May 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/05/) (15) * [April 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/04/) (17) * [March 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/03/) (21) * [February 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/02/) (25) * [January 2022](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022/01/) (18) * [December 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/12/) (10) * [November 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/11/) (7) * [October 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/10/) (8) * [September 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/09/) (23) * [August 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/08/) (14) * [July 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/07/) (12) * [June 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/06/) (18) * [May 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/05/) (14) * [April 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/04/) (24) * [March 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/03/) (15) * [February 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/02/) (17) * [January 2021](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/01/) (33) * [December 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/12/) (33) * [November 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/11/) (38) * [October 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/10/) (42) * [September 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/09/) (43) * [August 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/08/) (39) * [July 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/07/) (42) * [June 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/06/) (47) * [May 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/05/) (47) * [April 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/04/) (39) * [March 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/03/) (62) * [February 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/02/) (40) * [January 2020](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2020/01/) (15) * [December 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/12/) (16) * [November 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/11/) (6) * [October 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/10/) (6) * [September 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/09/) (11) * [August 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/08/) (9) * [July 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/07/) (14) * [June 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/06/) (7) * [May 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/05/) (12) * [April 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/04/) (12) * [March 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/03/) (19) * [February 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/02/) (29) * [January 2019](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2019/01/) (14) * [December 2018](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2018/12/) (1)

### Categories

* [2022 Wildfires](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2022-wildfires/) * [COVID-19](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/covid-19/) * [Early Childhood Education](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/early-childhood-education/) * [Legislative Updates](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/legislative-updates/) * [Press Releases](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/press-releases/) * [Public Safety](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/public-safety/) * [Uncategorized](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/uncategorized/)

## Contact

The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is located on the fourth floor of the New Mexico State Capitol in Room 400.

Address: 490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400 Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone: (505) 476-2200 Toll free: (833) 520-0020

## Quick Links

* [Open Positions](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/apply/open-positions/) * [Boards and Commissions](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/apply/boards-and-commissions/) * [Judicial and District Attorney Posts](https://www.governor.state.nm.us/judicial-and-district-attorney-posts/)

## Flag Status