The New Mexico Senate Committee on Tax, Business, and Transportation convened on March 11, 2025, to discuss several key legislative items, including health care access and tax code amendments. The meeting began with a discussion on a bill aimed at improving access to health care services, particularly for optometry. Senator Figueroa expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of local access to care and the challenges faced by residents who currently must travel long distances for services. The committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill, passing it with a 9-0 vote.

Following this, the committee turned its attention to House Bill 218, which involves significant housekeeping amendments to the state's tax code. Secretary Chardonn Clarke from the Tax and Revenue Department presented the bill, highlighting its purpose to streamline and clarify tax regulations. The proposed amendments include provisions allowing tax increment development districts to request waivers for certain data collection processes and enabling taxpayers with minimal tax liabilities to file annually instead of semi-annually. The committee discussed the implications of these changes, particularly in relation to the oil and gas industry, and ultimately approved the bill with amendments, again achieving a unanimous vote.

The meeting also addressed House Bill 198, which focuses on updating penalties and remedies within the tax code. The committee discussed the rationale behind the proposed changes, which are intended to reflect inflation and simplify the penalty structure. After a brief discussion, the committee moved to pass this bill as well, concluding the session with another unanimous vote.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to enhancing health care access and refining the tax code to better serve New Mexico residents. The next steps involve further discussions and potential refinements to the bills as they progress through the legislative process.