In the just-concluded month-long 2026 session of the New Mexico State legislature, lawmakers exhibited an enthusiasm for getting things built.
In the final hours of the session legislators approved up to $1.2 billion in funding for a variety of building projects across the state.
Senate Bill 240 provides upwards of $280 million for the construction of new medical teaching and treatment facility at the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine.
Some $535 million was relegated to local building projects statewide, including $95 million for the construction of a new state executive building in downtown Santa Fe, as well as $750,000 for the building of a new homeless shelter, also in Santa Fe.
Additional items under the bill: $1.3 million for improvements on the Eastern New Mexico State University Roswell campus; and $3 million for an upgrade of the Clovis Park in Clovis.
The bill passed the Senate in a unanimous 37 to 0 vote, before being sent to the House where it was passed by a 49 to 8 margin.
The legislation is now on its way to the desk of Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for her signature.
February 20, 2026
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of State of New Mexico
