2026 ROUND HOUSE REVIEW - Sine Die!
That's a wrap folks! The 2026 session of the NM Legislature ended Thursday at noon. I'm happy to report that the outfitting industry, and really New Mexico as a whole, survived another year without the legislature passing any industry crushing legislation. Of course there were many industry crushing bills introduced but rational minded legislators won in the end! Thank you to democrat Senators Cervantes, Shendo, Charly, & Munoz, and Representatives Anyanounu, Martinez, & McQueen for standing on their own 2 feet and voting against bills sponsored by their own party. That takes real courage in politics and we very much appreciate their ability to think for themselves.
Update on the one item on everyone's mind: yes, the gun bill died! It officially "ran out of time" but the bill was secretly killed by top democrats in the House Judiciary Committee late Monday night. The bill will no doubt return in 2027 (as it has for the past 8 years) but hunters and gun enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief for the next 12ish months - at least in New Mexico.
Another win for the outfitting industry was the passage and subsequent signing (yep that's right she signed it) of legislation with prevents Game Commissioner removal by a Governor without cause. This is something the Commission has struggled with over the last decade and will help restore stability to the Commission under the next administration.
Some additional wins for New Mexico residents in general: with the help of many, many people across all industries statewide, we killed the Clear Horizon's bill. The bill would have ultimately raised fuel prices exponentially and impacted every industry. We also killed the Joint Resolution which would have added "environmental rights" to the NM Constitution. This bill was nothing more than a free pass towards endless environmental litigation.
Interesting end of session stats: 812 items of legislation were introduced during the 30-day session. 127 items passed both chambers (74 of those were bills - the rest were memorials which do not hold the weight of law). 5 items have been signed by the Governor so far. All items not signed by the Governor by March 11th will be pocket vetoed.
Overall, a super successful session and a win for New Mexicans and the NM Outfitting Industry.
Update on the one item on everyone's mind: yes, the gun bill died! It officially "ran out of time" but the bill was secretly killed by top democrats in the House Judiciary Committee late Monday night. The bill will no doubt return in 2027 (as it has for the past 8 years) but hunters and gun enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief for the next 12ish months - at least in New Mexico.
Another win for the outfitting industry was the passage and subsequent signing (yep that's right she signed it) of legislation with prevents Game Commissioner removal by a Governor without cause. This is something the Commission has struggled with over the last decade and will help restore stability to the Commission under the next administration.
Some additional wins for New Mexico residents in general: with the help of many, many people across all industries statewide, we killed the Clear Horizon's bill. The bill would have ultimately raised fuel prices exponentially and impacted every industry. We also killed the Joint Resolution which would have added "environmental rights" to the NM Constitution. This bill was nothing more than a free pass towards endless environmental litigation.
Interesting end of session stats: 812 items of legislation were introduced during the 30-day session. 127 items passed both chambers (74 of those were bills - the rest were memorials which do not hold the weight of law). 5 items have been signed by the Governor so far. All items not signed by the Governor by March 11th will be pocket vetoed.
Overall, a super successful session and a win for New Mexicans and the NM Outfitting Industry.
LEGISLATION FOLLWED BY NMCOG THIS SESSION
SB 17 - STOP ILLEGAL GUN TRADE ACT
Primary Sponsor – Senator O’Malley (D) Bernalillo County
Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (passed party line 6-4)
Senate Judiciary Committee (passed party line 6-3)
Senate Floor (passed 21-17, 3 Ds crossed the aisle)
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee (passed 6-5, 1 D crossed the aisle)
Location – House Judiciary Committee - Secretly killed by McQueen & Martinez
Summary – Establishes comprehensive oversight of NM firearms dealers by mandating advanced security systems, employee background checks, and the posting of legal safety notices. The act prohibits the sale of "extremely dangerous weapons" such as .50 caliber rifles, high-capacity magazines, and certain gas-operated semiautomatics (including some popular hunting rifles). It specifically exempts .22 caliber rimfire weapons, antique firearms, manual-action rifles (bolt, lever, and pump), muzzleloaders, and standard recoil-operated handguns. However, even a traditional hunting rifle could be restricted if it has a fixed magazine that holds more than ten rounds. To ensure compliance, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety will conduct inspections at least every three years and maintain a database of dealer records, with violations resulting in civil fines or misdemeanor charges. This bill clearly violates the 2nd amendment as well as the 4th and 5th amendments of the constitution.
NMCOG STANCE – OPPOSE
HJR 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONAL BALLOT INITIATIVE
Primary Sponsor – Representative Ferrary (D) Doña Ana County
Location – House Energy & Natural Resources Committee on 1/29/2026
PULLED BY SPONSOR - Died
Summary – A proposed constitutional amendment that aims to establish environmental rights, including the right to clean air, water, soil, and a stable climate for all residents. This joint resolution would designate the state, counties, and municipalities as trustees of natural resources, tasked with their conservation and protection for present and future generations. This change to the constitution would give anyone the unlimited ability to sue any government agency or political subdivision over anything they deem to be in violation of their environmental rights. This change would create nothing but endless litigation in every direction.
NMCOG STANCE – OPPOSE
SB 104 - REMOVAL OF WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEMBERS
Primary Sponsor – Senate Majority Floor Leader Wirth (D) Santa Fe County
Passed both Chambers Unanimously
Signed by Governor MLG on 2/19/26
Summary – This bill relates to the Game Commission reform bill that passed last year and NMCOG supported. In 2025 the Governor line item vetoed the portion of the Commission reform bill that would have prevented the governor from removing a commission without cause. After further discussing the issue with the Governor she agreed to allow the portion that was vetoed to be redebated by the legislature. If this bill passes Game Commissioner removal would be adjudicated by the NM Supreme Court rather than at the Governors’ sole discretion.
NMCOG STANCE - SUPPORT
SB 89 - TAX HOLIDAY FOR HUNTING & FISHING SUPPLIES
Primary Sponsor – Tobiasson (R) Bernalillo County
Location – Senate Tax, Business, & Transportation Committee
Debated on 1/27/2026 – Was never considered in omnibus tax bill
Summary – Enacts a new section of the Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Act, effective July 1, 2026, creating an annual tax deduction period from September 8 to December 31 for specific outdoor and sporting goods. The deductions apply to retail sales of firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows, and related accessories, as well as fishing and camping gear meeting certain price limits, but exclude sales by businesses with franchise agreements. This bill does not include GRT paid by outfitters for services or on landowner permits. We are currently in discussions with the Senator to add the outfitting industry to the legislation.
CURRENT NMCOG STANCE - NEUTRAL
OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRUSTEE FUNDING (Now included in HB2)
Primary Sponsor – Small (D) Dona Ana County
Passed both chambers. Awaiting signature by Governor
Summary – provides $100 million from the general fund to be allocated to the Natural Resources Trustee to purchase land that has been destroyed by natural disaster (floods and forest fire) to make restoration/conservation efforts to the land with the plan to eventually turn the property into a state park or a wildlife management area to be utilized for outdoor recreation. $30 million is specifically reserved to be used to purchase properties along the Rio Ruidoso that are no longer habitable due to intense flooding as a result of the 2024 Salt/South Fork fires.
NMCOG STANCE - SUPPORT
SB 17 - STOP ILLEGAL GUN TRADE ACT
Primary Sponsor – Senator O’Malley (D) Bernalillo County
Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (passed party line 6-4)
Senate Judiciary Committee (passed party line 6-3)
Senate Floor (passed 21-17, 3 Ds crossed the aisle)
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee (passed 6-5, 1 D crossed the aisle)
Location – House Judiciary Committee - Secretly killed by McQueen & Martinez
Summary – Establishes comprehensive oversight of NM firearms dealers by mandating advanced security systems, employee background checks, and the posting of legal safety notices. The act prohibits the sale of "extremely dangerous weapons" such as .50 caliber rifles, high-capacity magazines, and certain gas-operated semiautomatics (including some popular hunting rifles). It specifically exempts .22 caliber rimfire weapons, antique firearms, manual-action rifles (bolt, lever, and pump), muzzleloaders, and standard recoil-operated handguns. However, even a traditional hunting rifle could be restricted if it has a fixed magazine that holds more than ten rounds. To ensure compliance, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety will conduct inspections at least every three years and maintain a database of dealer records, with violations resulting in civil fines or misdemeanor charges. This bill clearly violates the 2nd amendment as well as the 4th and 5th amendments of the constitution.
NMCOG STANCE – OPPOSE
HJR 3 – ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS, CONSTITUTIONAL BALLOT INITIATIVE
Primary Sponsor – Representative Ferrary (D) Doña Ana County
Location – House Energy & Natural Resources Committee on 1/29/2026
PULLED BY SPONSOR - Died
Summary – A proposed constitutional amendment that aims to establish environmental rights, including the right to clean air, water, soil, and a stable climate for all residents. This joint resolution would designate the state, counties, and municipalities as trustees of natural resources, tasked with their conservation and protection for present and future generations. This change to the constitution would give anyone the unlimited ability to sue any government agency or political subdivision over anything they deem to be in violation of their environmental rights. This change would create nothing but endless litigation in every direction.
NMCOG STANCE – OPPOSE
SB 104 - REMOVAL OF WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEMBERS
Primary Sponsor – Senate Majority Floor Leader Wirth (D) Santa Fe County
Passed both Chambers Unanimously
Signed by Governor MLG on 2/19/26
Summary – This bill relates to the Game Commission reform bill that passed last year and NMCOG supported. In 2025 the Governor line item vetoed the portion of the Commission reform bill that would have prevented the governor from removing a commission without cause. After further discussing the issue with the Governor she agreed to allow the portion that was vetoed to be redebated by the legislature. If this bill passes Game Commissioner removal would be adjudicated by the NM Supreme Court rather than at the Governors’ sole discretion.
NMCOG STANCE - SUPPORT
SB 89 - TAX HOLIDAY FOR HUNTING & FISHING SUPPLIES
Primary Sponsor – Tobiasson (R) Bernalillo County
Location – Senate Tax, Business, & Transportation Committee
Debated on 1/27/2026 – Was never considered in omnibus tax bill
Summary – Enacts a new section of the Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Act, effective July 1, 2026, creating an annual tax deduction period from September 8 to December 31 for specific outdoor and sporting goods. The deductions apply to retail sales of firearms, ammunition, bows, crossbows, and related accessories, as well as fishing and camping gear meeting certain price limits, but exclude sales by businesses with franchise agreements. This bill does not include GRT paid by outfitters for services or on landowner permits. We are currently in discussions with the Senator to add the outfitting industry to the legislation.
CURRENT NMCOG STANCE - NEUTRAL
OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES TRUSTEE FUNDING (Now included in HB2)
Primary Sponsor – Small (D) Dona Ana County
Passed both chambers. Awaiting signature by Governor
Summary – provides $100 million from the general fund to be allocated to the Natural Resources Trustee to purchase land that has been destroyed by natural disaster (floods and forest fire) to make restoration/conservation efforts to the land with the plan to eventually turn the property into a state park or a wildlife management area to be utilized for outdoor recreation. $30 million is specifically reserved to be used to purchase properties along the Rio Ruidoso that are no longer habitable due to intense flooding as a result of the 2024 Salt/South Fork fires.
NMCOG STANCE - SUPPORT
Regardless of any official stance taken by NMCOG you are always encouraged to reach out to the legislators on a particular committee and your personal legislators to provide public comment on anything that would impact your livelihood.
To find your legislator click HERE
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Our NMCOG Weekly Round House Review publications will begin on January 27th and continue through February 24th. Please send your concerns and comments regarding anything related to the 2026 legislative session to NMCOG at [email protected]