New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB261: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE
Status: Passed one chamber, February 16, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to the public peace, health, safety and welfare; amending the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm at a polling place to eliminate certain exemptions to the crime.
From the committee substitute text, February 14, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; AMENDING THE CRIME OF UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AT A POLLING PLACE TO ELIMINATE CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS TO THE CRIME. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 1-20-24 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2024, Chapter 50, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "1-20-24. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AT A POLLING PLACE.-- A. Unlawful possession of a firearm at a polling place consists of possession of a loaded or unloaded firearm by any person within: (1) one hundred feet of the door through which voters may enter to vote at a school building in which a polling place is located while early voting is in progress or .234067.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ SJC/SRC/SB on election day; (2) one hundred feet of the door through which voters may enter to vote at the office of the county clerk, an alternate voting location, a mobile voting site or any location used as a polling place while early voting is in progress or on election day that is not a school; or (3) fifty feet of a monitored secured container as used in Subsection E of Section 1-6-9 NMSA 1978, beginning twenty-eight days before an election through election day. …
Sponsors
- Joseph Cervantes (D, SD-031) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Sent to HGEIC - Referrals: HGEIC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:23 N:17
- : SJC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : SRC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Referred to: SCC/SRC/SJC
- : Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar for subsequent action
- : Not Printed
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 15, 2026): 23 yea, 17 nay, passed
Subjects: ELECTIONS, CRIMES & PENALTIES
Common questions
- What is SB261?
- SB261 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE.
- What does SB261 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to the public peace, health, safety and welfare; amending the crime of unlawful possession of a firearm at a polling place to eliminate certain exemptions to the crime.
- What is the status of SB261?
- Passed one chamber as of February 16, 2026. Latest action: Sent to HGEIC - Referrals: HGEIC (February 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB261?
- Joseph Cervantes (D, SD-031).
- Where is the official record for SB261?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=261&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.