HB 264 — STATE EMPLOYEE SALARIES, LEAVE & RETENTION

Bill Text

• Introduced introduced version Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill increases the minimum salary for state employees, establishes new annual leave accrual rates, provides for paid parental leave, and implements a remote work policy.

• Section 10-7-9 NMSA 1978

  four hundred dollars ($400) per month → fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour

  Changes the minimum salary from a fixed monthly amount to an hourly wage.

• Section 10-7-9 NMSA 1978

  On July 1, 2026 and on July 1 of each successive year, the minimum salary rate shall be adjusted by multiplying the minimum salary as of July 1, 2025 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the consumer price index ending in September of the previous year and the denominator of which is the consumer price index ending September 30, 2025; provided that the minimum wage rate shall not be adjusted downward as a result of a decrease in the consumer price index.

  Establishes an annual adjustment of the minimum salary based on the consumer price index.

• STATE EMPLOYEE ANNUAL LEAVE ACCRUAL RATES.-- A. Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary, state employees shall be eligible for annual leave accrued at rates that are competitive with other public sector employers.

  Introduces competitive annual leave accrual rates for state employees.

• Effective July 1, 2026, every state employee shall accrue annual leave at the rate of: (1) four and sixty-two hundredths hours per pay period if the employee has less than three years of cumulative employment; (2) five and fifty-four hundredths hours per pay period if the employee has three years or more but less than seven years of cumulative employment; (3) six and forty-six hundredths hours per pay period if the employee has seven years or more but less than fourteen years of cumulative employment; (4) seven and thirty-nine hundredths hours per pay period if the employee has fourteen years or more of cumulative employment.

  Specifies the exact annual leave accrual rates based on years of employment.

• STATE EMPLOYEE PAID PARENTAL LEAVE.-- A. Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary, effective July 1, 2026, state employees shall be eligible for paid parental leave of at least twelve work weeks of fully paid parental leave to eligible employees following the birth or adoption or upon gaining custody of a child.

  Establishes a minimum of twelve weeks of paid parental leave for state employees.

• STATE EMPLOYEE REMOTE WORK POLICY.-- A. Notwithstanding any statute or rule to the contrary, state agencies shall implement a remote work program to enhance recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce from rural areas of New Mexico.

  Mandates the implementation of a remote work program to improve recruitment and retention.

• Section 10-9-13 NMSA 1978

  including allowance for part-time and alternative work schedules, holiday schedules, competitive leave accrual rates and paid parental leave; → including allowance for part-time and alternative work schedules, holiday schedules, competitive leave accrual rates, and paid parental leave;

  Clarifies that rules regarding leave accrual rates and paid parental leave are included in the rules to be promulgated.

• Section 10-9-13 NMSA 1978

  K. a plan to designate positions eligible for full-time remote work or part-time, or hybrid, remote work for an approved work site other than a designated state work site to bring job opportunities to rural areas of the state and expand employee recruitment opportunities as part of a strategic analysis of the employer's needs.

  Introduces a requirement to designate positions for remote work to facilitate recruitment in rural areas.

Action History

1. June 03, 2025

   action postponed indefinitely

2. February 14, 2025

   DO PASS committee report adopted

3. February 04, 2025

   Sent to House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

Sponsors

• Pamelya Herndon · Primary
• Marianna Anaya · Primary
• Patricia Roybal Caballero · Primary

Subjects