New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB70: PRC SUPPORT AGENCY
Status: Signed into law, March 10, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to public utilities; distinguishing between the public regulation commission and the agency that supports the commission; clarifying agency statutory duties; requiring compliance with the gift act; making other clarifying and cleanup changes to the public regulation commission act; creating the utility oversight fund; changing distribution of collected fees and penalties; providing for the enforcement of fees by the public regulation commission.
From the enrolled text, March 10, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES; DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION AND THE AGENCY THAT SUPPORTS THE COMMISSION; CLARIFYING AGENCY STATUTORY DUTIES; REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH THE GIFT ACT; MAKING OTHER CLARIFYING AND CLEANUP CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION ACT; CREATING THE UTILITY OVERSIGHT FUND; CHANGING DISTRIBUTION OF COLLECTED FEES AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEES BY THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 62-8-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1957, Chapter 25, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "62-8-9. DISPOSITION OF FUNDS--INTEREST AND PENALTY ON LATE PAYMENTS.-- A. All fees and money collected under the provisions of the Public Utility Act, including fees provided for in Section 62-13-2 NMSA 1978 and including fees and charges for inspection and supervision, for stenographic services and for transcripts of evidence, shall be remitted by the commission to the state treasurer and credited to the utility oversight fund not later than the day following receipt. Payments provided for in the Public Utility Act shall be obligatory upon all utilities subject to the Public Utility Act. HJC/HB 70/a Page B. When a fee is not paid on the date it is due, interest shall be paid to the state on the amount due. The interest on the amount …
Sponsors
- Kristina Ortez (D, HD-042) · primary sponsor
- Mimi Stewart (D, SD-017)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 64 - Mar. 10
- : House has concurred with Senate Amendments
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:36 N:0
- : SRC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : Sent to SRC - Referrals: SRC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:66 N:0
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : HGEIC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HGEIC - Referrals: HGEIC/HJC
- : Sent to HPREF - Referrals: HPREF
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Vote (February 9, 2026): 66 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: STATE AGENCIES & DEPARTMENTS (including reorganization), UTILITIES (sewer, electric, gas, water, telephone)
Common questions
- What is HB70?
- HB70 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PRC SUPPORT AGENCY.
- What does HB70 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to public utilities; distinguishing between the public regulation commission and the agency that supports the commission; clarifying agency statutory duties; requiring compliance with the gift act; making other clarifying and cleanup changes to the public regulation commission act; creating the utility oversight fund; changing distribution of collected fees and penalties; providing for the enforcement of fees by the public regulation commission.
- What is the status of HB70?
- Signed into law as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 64 - Mar. 10 (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB70?
- Kristina Ortez (D, HD-042), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB70?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=70&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.