New Mexico Legislature Wraps Up Busy Session

Lawmakers pass nearly 75 proposals on key issues like healthcare, child care, and affordable housing

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 30-day legislative session in Santa Fe, New Mexico concluded with lawmakers passing nearly 75 proposals addressing major issues such as universal free child care, medical malpractice, and affordable housing. Improving the state's healthcare system was a top priority, with efforts to expand access, protect current doctors, and lower insurance costs.

Why it matters

This legislative session was seen as particularly consequential for New Mexico, tackling a range of critical issues that impact the daily lives of residents. The outcomes will shape the state's policies and programs in key areas like healthcare, childcare, and housing affordability.

The details

Legislators worked to pass proposals that would expand access to healthcare, protect the state's medical workforce, and lower insurance costs. Other major initiatives included establishing universal free childcare and addressing the state's affordable housing crisis. While not every proposal made it across the finish line, lawmakers touted the session as a milestone in delivering progress for New Mexicans.

  • The 30-day legislative session in Santa Fe concluded at noon on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • This was Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's last legislative session in office.

The players

Rep. Reena Sczcepanski

A Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives and the House Majority Floor Leader.

Rep. Javier Martinez

A Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives and the Speaker of the House.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham

The current Governor of New Mexico, who will be reviewing the approved proposals and deciding whether to sign them into law.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We never get everything we want across the finish line, but we saw milestone progress for health care access, health care workforce recruitment and health care affordability for our families.”

— Rep. Reena Sczcepanski, House Majority Floor Leader (kob.com)

“This has got to be one of the most consequential sessions we've had, and it's a 30 day session, which is ironic.”

— Rep. Javier Martinez, Speaker of the House (kob.com)

“We kid about how the last session for any governor and any body of legislators is zero funds, that there's just a lot of tension, there's no appetite for big new initiatives. And this session was not like that at all, and it has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with the way in which these legislators keep delivering for New Mexico.”

— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (kob.com)

What’s next

Governor Lujan Grisham will now review the approved proposals and decide which ones to sign into law.

The takeaway

This legislative session in New Mexico demonstrated the state's lawmakers' ability to come together and make meaningful progress on critical issues facing residents, from healthcare and childcare to affordable housing. The outcomes reflect a shared commitment to delivering tangible improvements in the lives of New Mexicans.