New Mexico HB144: CRIME OF UNLAWFUL SQUATTING

What the bill says

An act relating to criminal offenses; creating the crime of unlawful squatting; providing for a property owner to receive damages for injury to property that results from unlawful squatting; providing a process for removing an alleged unlawful squatter; allowing an alleged unlawful squatter the opportunity to contest a citation for unlawful squatting; requiring a trial to determine property rights where a purported property owner and an alleged squatter claim a right to the same real property; providing penalties.

From the introduced text, January 22, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES; CREATING THE CRIME OF UNLAWFUL SQUATTING; PROVIDING FOR A PROPERTY OWNER TO RECEIVE DAMAGES FOR INJURY TO PROPERTY THAT RESULTS FROM UNLAWFUL SQUATTING; PROVIDING A PROCESS FOR REMOVING AN ALLEGED UNLAWFUL SQUATTER; ALLOWING AN ALLEGED UNLAWFUL SQUATTER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTEST A CITATION FOR UNLAWFUL SQUATTING; REQUIRING A TRIAL TO DETERMINE PROPERTY RIGHTS WHERE A PURPORTED PROPERTY OWNER AND AN ALLEGED SQUATTER CLAIM A RIGHT TO THE SAME REAL PROPERTY; PROVIDING PENALTIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 30, Article 14 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read: "[NEW MATERIAL] UNLAWFUL SQUATTING.-- A. Unlawful squatting consists of a person entering .233197.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ upon the real property of another and residing on the real property for any period of time without the knowledge or consent of the property owner, rightful occupant or authorized representative of the property owner. B. Whoever commits unlawful squatting is guilty of a fourth degree felony." SECTION 2. Section 30-14-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 186, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read: "30-14-1.1. TYPES OF TRESPASS--INJURY TO REALTY--CIVIL DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS AND UNLAWFUL SQUATTING.-- A. Any person who enters and remains on the lands of another after having been …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Catherine J. Cullen (R, HD-057) · primary sponsor
• Rod Montoya (R, HD-001)
• John Block (R, HD-051)

Latest actions

1. January 22, 2026: Not Printed
2. : Action Postponed Indefinitely

Common questions

What is HB144?

HB144 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CRIME OF UNLAWFUL SQUATTING.

What does HB144 do?

In its own words: An act relating to criminal offenses; creating the crime of unlawful squatting; providing for a property owner to receive damages for injury to property that results from unlawful squatting; providing a process for removing an alleged unlawful squatter; allowing an alleged unlawful squatter the opportunity to contest a citation for unlawful squatting; requiring a trial to determine property rights where a purported property owner and an alleged squatter claim a right to the same real property; providing penalties.

What is the status of HB144?

Failed as of January 22, 2026. Latest action: Not Printed (January 22, 2026).

Who sponsored HB144?

Catherine J. Cullen (R, HD-057), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB144?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=144&year=26