The 2026 legislative session has now entered the second week of the session. This is a short session scheduled to last only 30 days. There are currently 147 bills pending in the House of Representatives and 131 bills pending in the Senate. The information we have is somewhat limited since none of the bills we are tracking have been heard in their respective committees as of this writing.
House Bill 69 (HB 69) seeks to modify the statute of limitations for civil actions related to sexual abuse. This proposed legislation would amend Section 37-1-30 NMSA to allow alleged victims to resuscitate the already expired statute of limitations for civil actions due to childhood sex abuse until they have reached 58 years of age. If a hearing is scheduled, we will be provide reasons to vote no.
House Bill 74 (HB 74) would eliminate the 10-year statute of limitations on prior felonies. No hearing has been schedule. We will keep you informed.
House Bill 79 (HB 79) seeks to make it easier for the state to revoke a person’s probation. The language proposed in HB 79 would reduce the burden of proof to a preponderance of the evidence. This legal standard is inadequate and not appropriate in a criminal proceeding. No hearing has been scheduled.
Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) proposes to:
- Revise the time limitation for commencing prosecution of human trafficking.
- Increase the age applicable to victims of sexual exploitation of children by prostitution to eighteen.
- Amend the elements of human trafficking.
- Provide a definition of harm.
- Prohibit certain defenses in a prosecution for certain crimes.
- Add victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children to the victims of the crime act; prohibit earned meritorious deductions for a human trafficking sentence.
No hearing has been scheduled. We intend to oppose this legislation unless significant amendments are made.
Senate Bill 41 (SB 41) proposes to eliminate the statute of limitations for certain sexual crimes. No hearing has been scheduled. We will oppose this legislation.
Senate Bill 51 (SB 51) proposes to:
- Enact the wrongful conviction compensation act.
- Provide for a person who claims to have been wrongfully convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense in state court to petition the court for an exoneration.
- Provide for compensation, damages, and other relief for a person who is exonerated.
No hearing has been schedule. We intend to support this legislation.