Lawmakers Prepare Budget and Health Bill Push for 2026 Session

State legislators representing this region outlined policy priorities and fiscal concerns ahead of the 2026 regular session, which opens Jan. 20 with prefiling of bills allowed beginning Jan. 2. Lawmakers said the budget will dominate the 30 day session running from Jan. 20 to Feb. 19, 2026, as revenue forecasts deteriorate and reliance on federal dollars complicates planning.

Senator George Muñoz of District 4 and Representative Patty Lundstrom of Gallup emphasized a dual approach: tight fiscal stewardship to weather an anticipated economic downshift, and targeted legislation aimed at justice and health care. Muñoz warned that New Mexico appears to be heading into an economic downturn and that revenue projections will fall, placing constraints on programs across the state. He noted the state depends heavily on federal funding and advised preparing for possible reductions.

Both legislators pointed to policy work begun during 2025 special sessions, when the legislature invested to reduce health insurance marketplace costs, dedicated funds for food assistance, and provided money to support rural health care providers confronting federal Medicaid cuts. Those measures were presented as precursors to what may be needed if revenues tighten further in 2026, particularly for counties such as McKinley where household incomes are lower and demand for public supports is higher.

On criminal justice, Muñoz indicated he may introduce a bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for child rape cases, aligning legislative effort with long term survivor advocacy and prosecution challenges. Lundstrom said her focus will be medical malpractice law reforms, citing concern that previous malpractice changes have driven doctors out of the state and worsened health care access in rural communities.

For McKinley County residents the stakes are concrete. Reduced state revenue could limit funding for community health clinics, behavioral health services, and nutritional assistance that many families depend on. Reforms aimed at attracting and retaining clinicians may influence whether local hospitals and clinics can keep staffing levels sufficient to meet demand. The proposed changes to statutes affecting child sexual assault cases could alter prosecution timelines and access to justice for survivors.

Lawmakers said they intend to balance fiscal caution with targeted bills that address justice and health care needs. With the prefiling window opening Jan. 2, constituents and local officials should monitor proposals that could directly affect county services and programs in the coming year.