2016 CARNM Legislative Initiatives

Senate Bill 105: Expedited Professional Licensure. Introduced by Sue Wilson Beffort, this bill, which was likely intended for hairstyling and massage licenses, allows anyone holding a professional license in good standing in another state to have an expedited process to get licensed in New Mexico without any education of New Mexico real estate law. Steve Anaya of RANM has tried to chase down Senator Beffort to discuss the intent of this bill, but we have yet to speak directly to her. Passed committee hearing and needs to be heard in Senate Judiciary.

House Bill 166: Home Inspector Licensing Act. This bill would require a licensing fee of $350 for each applicant seeking their license to become an inspector which would probably fund the operation of the entity, but would not be enough to start up the new entity.  Proponents offered to pay $500 per year for three years to get the licensing verification process started.  Passed out of the House floor.  Today, February 18, HB166 was never called for vote on the Senate floor although it made it out of the committees by the time the session expired at noon.

House Bill 129: Home Owners Association.  Caps fees that may be charged for preparation of a disclosure certificate pursuant to the Home Owner Association Act at $150.  Passed two committees unanimously and passed out of the House floor. Today, February 18, H.O.A. was called but two Republican Senators stood to oppose the bill which prompted Michael Sanchez to roll the bill over, substantially putting the bill to the end of the line and never stood for a vote by the time the session expired at noon.

House Bill 174: Suspend Property Valuation for Commercial Properties.  Allows a county or municipality to enact an ordinance suspending property valuations for ten years for approved commercial enterprises.  Passed House Business and Employment.  Currently stalled in the House Ways and Means Committee.

House Bill 210: Limit on Increases in Property Values.  Revises limitation on annual increase of residential property valuation from 3% per year to 7% per year.

House Bill 170: Implementing Broadband Expansion.  This bill would make an appropriation to the Department of Technology for studying and implementing broadband infrastructure expansion.  Passed out of House Business and Employment. Needs to be heard by Appropriations and Finance Committee.

House Joint Resolution 16: Transfer Tax Prohibition. This resolution proposes an amendment to Article 8 of the Constitution of New Mexico prohibiting a transfer tax on real property sales. Jason Harper of Rio Rancho has refused to schedule a hearing reportedly because he doesn’t want to lose an opportunity to tax something in case they need the money in the future.  No regard for our concerns or legislative process, this representative insists this not get a proper hearing or let the States representatives debate this.  We should all remember this when Harper runs for re-election.

PDF of the summaries of these important bills.