HB0376

HOUSE BILL 376

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

INTRODUCED BY

Luis M. Terrazas and Jenifer Jones and Rebecca Dow

and Rod Montoya and Angelita Mejia

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY; CREATING THE BORDER SECURITY DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; PROVIDING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GOVERNOR TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE AN INTERSTATE COMPACT REGARDING BORDER SECURITY; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR THE TRAFFICKING OF CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ANALOGS OR COUNTERFEIT SUBSTANCES THAT RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF A HUMAN BEING; REVISING PENALTIES; PROVIDING FINES; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-19-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 254, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

"9-19-4. DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED.--There is created in the executive branch the "department of public safety". The department shall be a cabinet department and shall consist of, but not be limited to:

A. the New Mexico state police division;

B. the New Mexico law enforcement academy;

C. the technical support division;

D. the administrative services division; [and]

E. the information technology division; and

F. the border security division."

SECTION 2. A new section of the Department of Public Safety Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] BORDER SECURITY DIVISION.--The "border security division" is created in the department."

SECTION 3. [NEW MATERIAL] DIRECTOR--POWERS AND DUTIES.--

A. As used in this section:

(1) "border patrol security" means a law enforcement officer who has successfully completed the requirements pursuant to the Law Enforcement Training Act;

(2) "checkpoint" means a barrier or manned entrance at which a person who travels is subject to a security check;

(3) "division" means the border security division of the department of public safety;

(4) "firearm" means a weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosion or the frame or receiver of any such weapon;

(5) "illegal immigrant" means a person who is not a lawful citizen, a permanent resident or authorized to work, visit or study in the United States by the United States citizenship and immigration services;

(6) "smuggle" means to illegally import into or export from the United States a good or a person; and

(7) "trafficking of people and contraband" means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by threat or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability and an item that is obtained illegally for production, trade or transport.

B. The secretary of public safety shall appoint the director of the division.

C. The division shall:

(1) prevent illegal entry of a person, illegal contraband and firearms into the country by land, water or air;

(2) enforce immigration and nationality laws, including Title 8 of the United States Code;

(3) seek out and apprehend people who smuggle an illegal immigrant into the country;

(4) prevent the illegal trafficking of people and contraband;

(5) facilitate the flow of legal immigration and goods;

(6) operate checkpoints to stop vehicles and question occupants about the occupants' citizenship;

(7) visually inspect the exterior of vehicles and may send those vehicles and their operators to secondary inspection areas;

(8) provide technical assistance and other border security activities to local law enforcement agencies;

(9) establish satellite offices in the town of Santa Teresa and the village of Columbus; and

(10) hire border patrol security to implement the duties and responsibilities of the division.

SECTION 4. A new section of Chapter 11 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] INTERSTATE COMPACT FOR BORDER SECURITY--AUTHORITY--PROVISIONS.--

A. The governor may develop and execute an interstate compact for border security among interested states; provided that the compact shall not increase the power of the compacting states in a way that could encroach on or interfere with federal power.

B. The compact shall provide for joint action among compacting states to share:

(1) law enforcement intelligence on illegal activity occurring at the border with Mexico;

(2) state resources for the construction of a physical barrier or a comprehensive technological surveillance system, or both, on state land to deter or detect illegal activity occurring at the border with Mexico; and

(3) other law enforcement resources to ensure the protection of personnel and property."

SECTION 5. Section 30-31-20 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1972, Chapter 84, Section 20, as amended) is amended to read:

"30-31-20. TRAFFICKING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES--VIOLATION.--

A. As used in the Controlled Substances Act, "traffic" means the:

(1) manufacture of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedules I through V or a controlled substance analog [as defined in Subsection W of Section 30-31-2 NMSA 1978];

(2) distribution, sale, barter or giving away of:

(a) a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug;

(b) a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug; [or]

(d) a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug; or

[(c)] (e) methamphetamine, its salts, isomers and salts of isomers; or

(3) possession with intent to distribute:

(a) a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug;

(b) a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug; [or]

(d) a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug; or

[(c)] (e) methamphetamine, its salts, isomers and salts of isomers.

B. Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, it is unlawful for a person to intentionally traffic. A person who violates this subsection is:

(1) for the first offense, except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this subsection, guilty of a second degree felony for trafficking a controlled substance and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; [and] provided that the person shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of nine years;

(2) for the first offense resulting in the death of a human being, guilty of a second degree felony for trafficking a controlled substance resulting in the death of a human being and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; provided that the person shall serve a minimum term of imprisonment of twelve years;

[(2)] (3) for the second and subsequent offenses, except as provided in Paragraph (4) of this subsection, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(4) for the second and subsequent offenses, if the offense results in the death of a human being, guilty of a first degree felony for trafficking a controlled substance resulting in the death of a human being and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

C. A person who knowingly violates Subsection B of this section within a drug-free school zone excluding private property residentially zoned or used primarily as a residence is guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978."

SECTION 6. Section 30-31-21 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1972, Chapter 84, Section 21, as amended) is amended to read:

"30-31-21. DISTRIBUTION TO A MINOR.--

A. Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, no person who is eighteen years of age or older shall intentionally distribute a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen years.

B. Except as provided in Subsection C of this section, any person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV or a controlled substance analog of any controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV is:

(1) for the first offense, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(2) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

C. A person who violates this section with respect to a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug, methamphetamine, its salts, isomers or salts of isomers as enumerated in Schedule II or a controlled substance analog of methamphetamine, its salts, isomers or salts of isomers is guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978."

SECTION 7. Section 30-31-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1972, Chapter 84, Section 22, as amended) is amended to read:

"30-31-22. CONTROLLED OR COUNTERFEIT SUBSTANCES--DISTRIBUTION PROHIBITED.--

A. Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, it is unlawful for a person to intentionally distribute or possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog except a substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug, a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or methamphetamine, its salts, isomers and salts of isomers. A person who violates this subsection with respect to:

(1) synthetic cannabinoids is:

(a) for the first offense, guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(b) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(c) for the first offense, if more than one hundred pounds is possessed with intent to distribute or distributed or both, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(d) for the second and subsequent offenses, if more than one hundred pounds is possessed with intent to distribute or distributed or both, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(2) any other controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV or a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV except a substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug, a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or methamphetamine, its salts, isomers and salts of isomers, is:

(a) for the first offense, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(b) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(3) a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule V or a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule V is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for a definite term not less than one hundred eighty days but less than one year, or both.

B. It is unlawful for a person to distribute gamma hydroxybutyric acid or flunitrazepam to another person without that person's knowledge and with intent to commit a crime against that person, including criminal sexual penetration. For the purposes of this subsection, "without that person's knowledge" means the person is unaware that a substance with the ability to alter that person's ability to appraise conduct or to decline participation in or communicate unwillingness to participate in conduct is being distributed to that person. Any person who violates this subsection is:

(1) for the first offense, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(2) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

C. Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, it is unlawful for a person to intentionally create or deliver, or possess with intent to deliver, a counterfeit substance. A person who violates this subsection with respect to:

(1) a counterfeit substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV, except a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug, is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(2) a counterfeit substance enumerated in Schedule V is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) or by imprisonment for a definite term not to exceed six months, or both.

D. A person who knowingly violates Subsection A or C of this section while within a drug-free school zone with respect to:

(1) synthetic cannabinoids is:

(a) for the first offense, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(b) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(c) for the first offense, if more than one hundred pounds is possessed with intent to distribute or distributed or both, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(d) for the second and subsequent offenses, if more than one hundred pounds is possessed with intent to distribute or distributed or both, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(a) for the first offense, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(b) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978;

(3) a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule V or a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule V is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(4) the intentional creation, delivery or possession with the intent to deliver:

(a) a counterfeit substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV, except a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug or a counterfeit substance of a controlled substance analog of a controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I or II that is a narcotic drug, is guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and

(b) a counterfeit substance enumerated in Schedule V is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for a definite term not less than one hundred eighty days but less than one year, or both.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this section, distribution of a small amount of synthetic cannabinoids for no remuneration shall be treated as provided in Paragraph (1) of Subsection B of Section 30-31-23 NMSA 1978."

SECTION 8. Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1977, Chapter 216, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

"31-18-15. SENTENCING AUTHORITY--NONCAPITAL FELONIES--BASIC SENTENCES AND FINES--PAROLE AUTHORITY--MERITORIOUS DEDUCTIONS.--

A. As used in a statute that establishes a noncapital felony, the following defined felony classifications and associated basic sentences of imprisonment are as follows:

FELONY CLASSIFICATION BASIC SENTENCE

first degree felony

resulting in the death

of a child life imprisonment

first degree felony for

aggravated criminal sexual

penetration life imprisonment

first degree felony for

trafficking a controlled

substance resulting in

the death of a human being life imprisonment

first degree felony eighteen years imprisonment

second degree felony

resulting in the death of

a human being eighteen years imprisonment

second degree felony for

trafficking a controlled

substance resulting in

the death of a human being eighteen years imprisonment

second degree felony for a

sexual offense against a

child fifteen years imprisonment

second degree felony for

sexual exploitation of

children twelve years imprisonment

second degree felony nine years imprisonment

third degree felony resulting

in the death of a human being six years imprisonment

third degree felony for a

sexual offense against a

child six years imprisonment

third degree felony for sexual

exploitation of children eleven years imprisonment

third degree felony three years imprisonment

fourth degree felony for

sexual exploitation of

children ten years imprisonment

fourth degree felony eighteen months imprisonment.

B. The appropriate basic sentence of imprisonment shall be imposed upon a person convicted and sentenced pursuant to Subsection A of this section, unless the court alters the sentence pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Sentencing Act.

C. A period of parole shall be imposed only for felony convictions wherein a person is sentenced to imprisonment of more than one year, unless the parties to a proceeding agree that a period of parole should be imposed. If a period of parole is imposed, the court shall include in the judgment and sentence of each person convicted and sentenced to imprisonment in a corrections facility designated by the corrections department authority for a period of parole to be served in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-21-10 NMSA 1978 after the completion of any actual time of imprisonment and authority to require, as a condition of parole, the payment of the costs of parole services and reimbursement to a law enforcement agency or local crime stopper program in accordance with the provisions of that section. If imposed, the period of parole shall be deemed to be part of the sentence of the convicted person in addition to the basic sentence imposed pursuant to Subsection A of this section together with alterations, if any, pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Sentencing Act.

D. When a court imposes a sentence of imprisonment pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15.1, 31-18-16 or 31-18-17 NMSA 1978 and suspends or defers the basic sentence of imprisonment provided pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this section, the period of parole shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-21-10 NMSA 1978 for the degree of felony for the basic sentence for which the inmate was convicted. For the purpose of designating a period of parole, a court shall not consider that the basic sentence of imprisonment was suspended or deferred and that the inmate served a period of imprisonment pursuant to the provisions of the Criminal Sentencing Act.

E. The court may, in addition to the imposition of a basic sentence of imprisonment, impose a fine not to exceed:

(1) for a first degree felony resulting in the death of a child, seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500);

(2) for a first degree felony for aggravated criminal sexual penetration, seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500);

(3) for a first degree felony for trafficking a controlled substance resulting in the death of a human being, seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500);

[(3)] (4) for a first degree felony, fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000);

[(4)] (5) for a second degree felony resulting in the death of a human being, twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500);

[(5)] (6) for a second degree felony for a sexual offense against a child, twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500);

(7) for a second degree felony for trafficking a controlled substance resulting in the death of a human being, twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500);

[(6)] (8) for a second degree felony for sexual exploitation of children, five thousand dollars ($5,000);

[(7)] (9) for a second degree felony, ten thousand dollars ($10,000);

[(8)] (10) for a third degree felony resulting in the death of a human being, five thousand dollars ($5,000);

[(9)] (11) for a third degree felony for a sexual offense against a child, five thousand dollars ($5,000);

[(10)] (12) for a third degree felony for sexual exploitation of children, five thousand dollars ($5,000);

[(11)] (13) for a third or fourth degree felony, five thousand dollars ($5,000); or

[(12)] (14) for a fourth degree felony for sexual exploitation of children, five thousand dollars ($5,000).

F. When the court imposes a sentence of imprisonment for a felony offense, the court shall indicate whether or not the offense is a serious violent offense as defined in Section 33-2-34 NMSA 1978. The court shall inform an offender that the offender's sentence of imprisonment is subject to the provisions of Sections 33-2-34, 33-2-36, 33-2-37 and 33-2-38 NMSA 1978. If the court fails to inform an offender that the offender's sentence is subject to those provisions or if the court provides the offender with erroneous information regarding those provisions, the failure to inform or the error shall not provide a basis for a writ of habeas corpus.

G. No later than October 31 of each year, the

New Mexico sentencing commission shall provide a written report to the secretary of corrections, all New Mexico criminal court judges, the administrative office of the district attorneys and the chief public defender. The report shall specify the average reduction in the sentence of imprisonment for serious violent offenses and nonviolent offenses, as defined in Section 33-2-34 NMSA 1978, due to meritorious deductions earned by prisoners during the previous fiscal year pursuant to the provisions of Sections 33-2-34, 33-2-36, 33-2-37 and 33-2-38 NMSA 1978. The corrections department shall allow the commission access to documents used by the department to determine earned meritorious deductions for prisoners."

SECTION 9. APPROPRIATIONS.--

A. Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of public safety for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 for the hiring of border patrol security and the purchase of transportation vehicles and other equipment needed to conduct border patrol surveillance. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

B. Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the department of health for expenditure in fiscal year 2026 to conduct a wide range of services that impact fentanyl users, including health care services to address fentanyl addiction; conduct educational programs in public schools and higher education in fentanyl addiction and prevention; and assist state and local law enforcement agencies in identifying and screening illegal fentanyl stashes. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

C. Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the local government division of the department of finance and administration for expenditure in fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for the purchase of border cameras and license plate readers for local law enforcement agencies. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2026 shall revert to the general fund.

SECTION 10. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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