New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HM36: NURSING SHORTAGE TASK FORCE
Status: Passed both chambers, February 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
A MEMORIAL REQUESTING THE BOARD OF NURSING TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THE NURSING SHORTAGE CRISIS. WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by the workforce solutions department in April 2025, there are nearly eighteen thousand registered nurses, one thousand three hundred licensed practical nurses and eight thousand three hundred advanced practice nurses currently practicing in the state of New Mexico; and WHEREAS, nursing is the largest sector of the health care workforce, yet there is a critical shortage of nurses in the state, which is taxing on the state's health care delivery systems and on access to care for state residents; and WHEREAS, this shortage is exacerbated by a gap in education to meet workforce needs, and this gap is made clear by the thousands of nursing job postings each month according to the workforce solutions department; and WHEREAS, even though appropriations in recent fiscal years have been provided to fund additional nursing school slots and faculty positions, rates of enrollment and degree completion in nursing programs are not increasing as needed; and WHEREAS, approximately three thousand two hundred new HM Page nurses need to graduate from nursing programs every year to meet intended nurse staffing needs by 2032, but approximately one thousand four hundred new nurses graduated in 2025; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE …
Sponsors
- Kathleen Cates (D, HD-044) · primary sponsor
- Patricia Roybal Caballero (D, HD-013)
Latest actions
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
- : Signed by one or both houses (for legislation not requiring Governor's signature)
Subjects: MEMORIALS, OTHER, HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES
Common questions
- What is HM36?
- HM36 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): NURSING SHORTAGE TASK FORCE.
- What is the status of HM36?
- Passed both chambers as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0 (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HM36?
- Kathleen Cates (D, HD-044), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HM36?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=M&legNo=36&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.