New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB8: HIGHER ED. MAJOR PROJECTS FUND
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to capital improvements; creating the higher education major projects fund; specifying eligible uses of the fund; providing criteria for funding; specifying requirements; allowing the legislature to waive match requirements; specifying initial priorities.
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; CREATING THE HIGHER EDUCATION MAJOR PROJECTS FUND; SPECIFYING ELIGIBLE USES OF THE FUND; PROVIDING CRITERIA FOR FUNDING; SPECIFYING REQUIREMENTS; ALLOWING THE LEGISLATURE TO WAIVE MATCH REQUIREMENTS; SPECIFYING INITIAL PRIORITIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 21 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read: "HIGHER EDUCATION MAJOR PROJECTS FUND--CREATED--ELIGIBLE USES--MATCH REQUIREMENTS.-- A. As used in this section: (1) "department" means the higher education department; (2) "four-year educational institution" means a university enumerated in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico; (3) "student life projects" means major capital outlay for nonacademic purposes that enhances students' college experience, including recreation centers, dining halls, athletic facilities for state universities participating in division 1 and division 2 athletics and in good standing with the national collegiate athletic association and other campus amenity facilities; and HB 8/a Page (4) "two-year educational institution" means a community college, including branch community colleges, northern New Mexico state school and the New Mexico military institute for its junior college program. B. The "higher education major projects fund" is created as a nonreverting fund in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, income from investment of the fund, gifts, grants, donations and other money credited to the fund. The …
Sponsors
- Anita Gonzales (D, HD-070) · primary sponsor
- Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D, HD-015)
- Small, Nathan P.
- Pete Campos (D, SD-008)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 50 - Mar. 9
- : House has concurred with Senate Amendments
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:38 N:0
- : SFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to SEC - Referrals: SEC/SFC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:45 N:23
- : HAFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : Sent to HAFC - Referrals: HAFC
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 18, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Vote (February 6, 2026): 45 yea, 23 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION, POST SECONDARY, FINANCE, PUBLIC
Common questions
- What is HB8?
- HB8 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HIGHER ED. MAJOR PROJECTS FUND.
- What does HB8 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to capital improvements; creating the higher education major projects fund; specifying eligible uses of the fund; providing criteria for funding; specifying requirements; allowing the legislature to waive match requirements; specifying initial priorities.
- What is the status of HB8?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 50 - Mar. 9 (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB8?
- Anita Gonzales (D, HD-070), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB8?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=8&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.