New Mexico SB264: PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE

What the bill says

An act relating to the public peace, health, safety and welfare; amending and enacting sections of the election code; prohibiting persons acting under color of law or otherwise from ordering troops to a place where an election is held unless necessary to repel armed enemies of the united states; prohibiting interference with a person's right of suffrage at an election; providing penalties; providing remedies; providing procedures for elections following a declaration of a state of emergency.

From the enrolled text, March 10, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE ELECTION CODE; PROHIBITING PERSONS ACTING UNDER COLOR OF LAW OR OTHERWISE FROM ORDERING TROOPS TO A PLACE WHERE AN ELECTION IS HELD UNLESS NECESSARY TO REPEL ARMED ENEMIES OF THE UNITED STATES; PROHIBITING INTERFERENCE WITH A PERSON'S RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE AT AN ELECTION; PROVIDING PENALTIES; PROVIDING REMEDIES; PROVIDING PROCEDURES FOR ELECTIONS FOLLOWING A DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of the Election Code, Section 1-1-29 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: "1-1-29. UNDER COLOR OF LAW.--As used in the Election Code, "under color of law" means acting or purporting to act in the performance of official duties, under the authority of a statute, ordinance, regulation, proclamation or order of the United States or this state." SECTION 2. A new section of the Election Code, Section 1-1-30 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read: "1-1-30. PEACE OFFICER.--As used in the Election Code, "peace officer" means any full-time salaried or certified part-time salaried officer of a police or sheriff's department that is part of or administered by the state or SRC/SB Page any political subdivision of the state who by virtue of office or public employment is vested by …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Katy Duhigg (D, SD-010) · primary sponsor
• Heather Berghmans (D, SD-015)
• Cindy Nava (D, SD-009)
• Angel M. Charley (D, SD-030)
• Joseph Cervantes (D, SD-031)
• Reena Szczepanski (D, HD-047)

Latest actions

1. March 9, 2026: Signed by Governor - Chapter 58 - Mar. 9
2. February 17, 2026: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:41 N:26
3. February 17, 2026: HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
4. February 16, 2026: Sent to HJC - Referrals: HJC
5. February 15, 2026: Passed in the Senate - Y:26 N:16
6. February 14, 2026: SJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
7. February 11, 2026: SRC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
8. February 9, 2026: SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
9. February 7, 2026: Referred to: SCC/SRC/SJC
10. February 7, 2026: Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar for subsequent action

Votes

• House Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 41 yea, 26 nay, passed
• Senate Floor Vote (February 15, 2026): 26 yea, 16 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB264?

SB264 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE.

What does SB264 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the public peace, health, safety and welfare; amending and enacting sections of the election code; prohibiting persons acting under color of law or otherwise from ordering troops to a place where an election is held unless necessary to repel armed enemies of the united states; prohibiting interference with a person's right of suffrage at an election; providing penalties; providing remedies; providing procedures for elections following a declaration of a state of emergency.

What is the status of SB264?

Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 58 - Mar. 9 (March 9, 2026).

Who sponsored SB264?

Katy Duhigg (D, SD-010), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB264?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=264&year=26