SENATE BILL 132

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Pat Woods

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO TRIALS; LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES THAT CAN BE AWARDED IN A LEGAL ACTION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 39, Article 1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] LIMITATION ON PUNITIVE DAMAGES.--

          A. In any action in which compensatory damages are awarded to the prevailing party, the punitive damage award shall not exceed the amount of the compensatory damage award.

          B. In any action in which punitive damages are awarded to a prevailing party, the prevailing party may be awarded the costs for reasonable attorney fees."

.228941.2