New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB162: MOTOR VEHICLE CRIMES & PENALTIES
Status: Failed, January 26, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to public safety; increasing the penalty for homicide by vehicle while committing reckless driving; creating the crime of negligent homicide by vehicle; providing a penalty; making an appropriation to provide for a statewide public education campaign.
From the introduced text, January 26, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY; INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE WHILE COMMITTING RECKLESS DRIVING; CREATING THE CRIME OF NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE; PROVIDING A PENALTY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PROVIDE FOR A STATEWIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 66-8-101 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 509, as amended) is amended to read: "66-8-101. HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE--GREAT BODILY HARM BY VEHICLE--NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE.-- A. Homicide by vehicle is the killing of a human being in the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. B. Great bodily harm by vehicle is the injuring of a human being, to the extent defined in Section 30-1-12 NMSA .232597.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ 1978, in the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle. C. A person who commits homicide by vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or while under the influence of any drug is guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978. D. A person who commits homicide by vehicle while violating Section 66-8-113 NMSA 1978 is guilty of a [third] second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, provided that violation …
Sponsors
- Art De La Cruz (D, HD-012) · primary sponsor
- Cynthia Borrego (D, HD-017)
- Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015)
- Meredith A. Dixon (D, HD-020)
Latest actions
- : Not Printed
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES (autos, trucks, buses, cycles), CRIMES & PENALTIES
Common questions
- What is HB162?
- HB162 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): MOTOR VEHICLE CRIMES & PENALTIES.
- What does HB162 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to public safety; increasing the penalty for homicide by vehicle while committing reckless driving; creating the crime of negligent homicide by vehicle; providing a penalty; making an appropriation to provide for a statewide public education campaign.
- What is the status of HB162?
- Failed as of January 26, 2026. Latest action: Not Printed (January 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB162?
- Art De La Cruz (D, HD-012), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB162?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=162&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.