Watch out for AI bills in the 2025 Legislature

SANTA FE — Over the past two years, the New Mexico Legislature has only heard around a dozen bills related to or involving artificial intelligence, and even less became law. Considering the rapid advancement of AI over the past year, New Mexicans could expect more action on this front in the 2025 Legislature.

And if the agenda for the interim Science, Technology and Telecommunications Committee was any indicator, the state will discuss a litany of AI topics.

Around half of the presentations the committee heard in 2024 were about AI or related to advanced technology. Topics included AI transparency, ethics, literacy and power demand.

The committee also heard multiple times about how AI could be used in medical fields, both to support physicians and patients. Examples for patients include chatbot-based therapy and health apps, and examples for physicians include enhanced diagnostics and decision support, training for rural providers and automating administrative work.

Only one AI bill passed in the 2024 Legislature, a session that was limited to budget discussions or topics deemed relevant by the governor: a law requiring disclosure for the use of AI in political ads.

In 2023, only one non-funding bill with AI content passed. It updated advanced technology regulations for commercial transactions.

A few funding initiatives also have gotten through the state in recent years, including the Legislature sending money to school districts to adopt AI in education and the State Investment Council sending commitments to investment firms focused on AI.

Lawmakers can start filing legislation Jan. 2, and the Legislature begins Jan. 21. It’ll run for 60 days with no topic limitations on bills, unlike the 30-day sessions held on even years.