2025 Legislative Session Recap: Priorities and Outcomes
During the 2025 legislative session, ECECD’s priorities focused on enhancing outcomes for young children, increasing quality of and access to early childhood programs, and ensuring the early childhood system remains stable and sustainable for future generations of New Mexicans.
2025 Agency Bill Outcomes
Below is a summary of key bills and their outcomes from the 2025 Legislative Session
HB 71 Early Childhood Education & Care Fund Transfers
On April 7, 2025, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB 71, Early Childhood Education & Care Fund Transfers, into law, strengthening long-term investments in early childhood programs across New Mexico. The legislation increases the annual distribution from the Early Childhood Trust Fund (ECTF) to $500 million or 5% of the fund’s three-year average balance, whichever is greater.
HB 71 also adjusts how key revenue streams are allocated between fiscal years 2026 and 2028. During this period, funds from the excess extraction taxes suspense fund will be evenly split between the ECTF and the Behavioral Health Trust Fund, while revenue from federal mineral leasing will be divided equally between the ECTF and the Medicaid Trust Fund. To protect the fund’s long-term viability, the bill includes a safeguard to increase transfers if the ECTF balance falls below its FY25 level. Beginning in FY29, the ECTF will once again receive 100% of these designated revenue transfers—ensuring continued, stable support for early childhood care and education in New Mexico.
SB 66 Criminal Offender Employment Exemptions
On April 7, 2025, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed SB 66, Criminal Offender Employment Exemptions, into law, establishing a targeted exemption to the Criminal Offender Employment Act. The legislation authorizes select state agencies—ECECD, CYFD, PED, HCA, and ALTSD—to consider misdemeanor offenses when evaluating candidates for caregiver positions and other roles that provide direct services to sensitive populations, such as young children and vulnerable adults. This exemption supports agencies in maintaining high standards of care and safety, while also promoting equitable access to employment—marking a meaningful step forward for both public safety and child well-being.
SB 58 Child Care Facility Licensing
Outcome: Stalled in House Judiciary Committee.
SB 147 Exclusionary Practices Prohibition
Outcome: Stalled in Senate Judiciary Committee.
SJR 6 / SB 167 Constitutional Amendment Trust Fund Protections and Supporting Statutes
Outcome: Stalled in Senate Finance Committee.