UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PILOT PROJECT

SB0070

SENATE BILL 70

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

William P. Soules
and Yanira Gurrola

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME PILOT PROGRAM AND TO
EVALUATE THE IMPACTS OF UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME ON PREGNANT
PEOPLE; REQUIRING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
DEPARTMENT OR AN APPROVED ENTITY TO CONDUCT HOME VISITS FOR
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PILOT PROGRAM; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
TEMPORARY PROVISION--UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME
PILOT PROGRAM.--

A. As used in this section, "program" means the
universal basic income pilot program.

B. The "universal basic income pilot program" is
created as a two-year pilot program administered by the
department of health to evaluate the financial impact on a
pregnant person of providing a universal basic income from
pregnancy through the first year of life of an infant.

C. The department of health shall develop an
application process for participants to voluntarily enroll in
the program. The program shall consist of a control group of
participants and a test group of participants. Participants in
the program shall:

(1) be pregnant at the time of applying to
participate in the program; and

(2) have an income at or below one hundred
fifty percent of the federal poverty level.

D. The program shall begin on July 1, 2026 and
shall end on June 30, 2028. The program shall proceed with the
following limitations; provided that the control group shall
not be subject to these limitations:

(1) the department of health shall distribute
to participants a universal basic income of one thousand five
hundred dollars ($1,500) per month through the duration of the
program;

(2) participants shall receive home visitation
from employees of the early childhood education and care
department or an entity approved by that department;

(3) participants shall complete surveys and
research forms throughout the duration of the program;

(4) participants shall attend prenatal care
appointments with a health care provider as defined pursuant to
the Public Health Act in a frequency recommended by the health
care provider; and

(5) if a participant fails to comply with the
provisions of Paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection,
that participant shall be placed in the control group for the
remainder of the program.

E. The department of health shall report the
findings of the program to the legislative education study
committee no later than December 1, 2028.

SECTION 2.
APPROPRIATION.--Eighty million dollars
($80,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the
department of health for expenditure in fiscal years 2027 and
2028 to conduct a universal basic income pilot program. Any
unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of
fiscal year 2028 shall revert to the general fund.

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