NM HB98

Increases the minimum salary for state employees and state educational institution employees from $400 per month to $15.00 per hour, with annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the consumer price index beginning July 1, 2027

Establishes tiered annual leave accrual rates effective July 1, 2027: 4.62 hours per pay period for employees with less than 3 years of service, increasing to 7.39 hours per pay period for employees with 14 or more years of cumulative employment

Provides 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for state employees following birth, adoption, or gaining custody of a child, with both parents eligible if both are state employees, effective July 1, 2027

Requires state agencies to implement remote work programs to recruit and retain employees from rural areas of New Mexico, with position eligibility based on job functions and operational needs

All provisions defer to existing collective bargaining agreements negotiated under the Public Employee Bargaining Act where conflicts exist, with an effective date of July 1, 2026