New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB40: DRIVER PRIVACY AND SAFETY ACT
Status: Signed into law, March 4, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to license plate readers; enacting the driver privacy and safety act; providing limitations on the sharing of automated license plate reader information and requiring reporting; providing for enforcement and penalties.
From the enrolled text, March 5, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATE READERS; ENACTING THE DRIVER PRIVACY AND SAFETY ACT; PROVIDING LIMITATIONS ON THE SHARING OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER INFORMATION AND REQUIRING REPORTING; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Driver Privacy and Safety Act". SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Driver Privacy and Safety Act: A. "automated license plate reader" means an electronic device that is capable of recording data on or taking a photograph of a vehicle or the vehicle's license plate and comparing the collected data and photographs to existing law enforcement databases for investigative purposes and includes a device that is owned or operated by a person or an entity other than a law enforcement agency; B. "automated license plate reader information" means information gathered by an automated license plate reader or created from the analysis of data generated by an automated license plate reader, excluding information used for the purpose of auditing an automated license plate reader; C. "automated license plate reader user" means a SJC/SB Page person or an entity that owns or operates an automated license plate reader or has access to automated license plate reader information; D. "law enforcement agency" means a state or local agency, political …
Sponsors
- Peter Wirth (D, SD-025) · primary sponsor
- Christine Chandler (D, HD-043)
- Cindy Nava (D, SD-009)
- Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015)
- Micaelita Debbie O'Malley (D, SD-013)
- Marianna Anaya (D, HD-018)
- Cristina Parajón (D, HD-025)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 20 - Mar. 4
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:42 N:22
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:32 N:8
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : STBTC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/STBTC/SJC
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 42 yea, 22 nay, passed
- Senate Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 32 yea, 8 nay, passed
Subjects: MOTOR VEHICLES (autos, trucks, buses, cycles), CRIMES & PENALTIES
Common questions
- What is SB40?
- SB40 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): DRIVER PRIVACY AND SAFETY ACT.
- What does SB40 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to license plate readers; enacting the driver privacy and safety act; providing limitations on the sharing of automated license plate reader information and requiring reporting; providing for enforcement and penalties.
- What is the status of SB40?
- Signed into law as of March 4, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 20 - Mar. 4 (March 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB40?
- Peter Wirth (D, SD-025), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB40?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=40&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.