New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB43: PAROLE REQUIREMENT CHANGES
Status: Signed into law, March 4, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to parole; amending factors to be considered by the parole board when considering parole of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment; amending the requirements for per diem and mileage for parole board members; providing for the scheduling of hearings.
From the enrolled text, March 5, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO PAROLE; AMENDING FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE PAROLE BOARD WHEN CONSIDERING PAROLE OF AN INMATE SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT; AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PER DIEM AND MILEAGE FOR PAROLE BOARD MEMBERS; PROVIDING FOR THE SCHEDULING OF HEARINGS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 31-21-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1980, Chapter 28, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "31-21-10. PAROLE AUTHORITY AND PROCEDURE.-- A. Except as provided in Section 31-21-10.2 NMSA 1978, an inmate of an institution who was sentenced to life imprisonment becomes eligible for a parole hearing after the inmate has served thirty years of the sentence, which shall be construed as the retributive portion of the life sentence. Upon reaching eligibility, parole consideration for release shall focus on: (1) risk and readiness for release, as demonstrated by the inmate substantially complying with the rules of the institution to which the inmate has been confined; (2) whether the inmate has participated in or completed an educational, a vocational or another program, where available, while confined; and SB Page (3) whether the inmate has demonstrated maturity, rehabilitation and a fitness to reenter society. B. Before ordering the parole of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment, the board shall: (1) interview the inmate at the …
Sponsors
- Leo Jaramillo (D, SD-005) · primary sponsor
- Nicole Chavez (R, HD-031)
- Andrea Romero (D, HD-046)
- Brantley, Crystal (R, 35)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 22 - Mar. 4
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:62 N:0
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:36 N:0
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SHPAC: 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/SHPAC/SJC
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 62 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Floor Vote (February 10, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: COURTS (judges, DAs, public defenders), CRIMES & PENALTIES
Common questions
- What is SB43?
- SB43 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PAROLE REQUIREMENT CHANGES.
- What does SB43 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to parole; amending factors to be considered by the parole board when considering parole of an inmate sentenced to life imprisonment; amending the requirements for per diem and mileage for parole board members; providing for the scheduling of hearings.
- What is the status of SB43?
- Signed into law as of March 4, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 22 - Mar. 4 (March 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB43?
- Leo Jaramillo (D, SD-005), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB43?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=43&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.