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HB 57NEW MEXICOSession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

New Mexico House Bill 57 allows chemical testing analysts to testify via interactive video in traffic offense court proceedings

Original title: TRAFFIC OFFENSE VIDEO TESTIMONY

Last action · February 6, 2026: HCPAC: Reported by committee without a recommendationSponsors: Stefani Lord and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 57 permits chemical testing analysts, toxicologists, and other individuals who perform or analyze chemical tests under the to appear and testify by when subpoenaed to court. The measure establishes that individuals arrested for driving under the influence are deemed to have given consent for these expert witnesses to appear remotely. The legislation applies to court proceedings arising from traffic offenses across New Mexico.

Why it matters

Changes court procedures for driving-under-the-influence prosecutions by removing the requirement for in-person testimony from chemical testing analysts and toxicologists, potentially altering court scheduling and expert witness travel obligations.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

chemical testing analysts and toxicologists

Analysts and toxicologists are permitted to appear and testify by interactive video when subpoenaed to court proceedings rather than being required to attend in person.

Directly affected

defendants in traffic offense proceedings

Defendants are deemed to have given consent to expert witnesses appearing by interactive video and participate in court proceedings where remote expert testimony is utilized.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to testify by interactive video under House Bill 57?

Persons who perform or analyze chemical testing pursuant to the , including analysts and toxicologists, are permitted to appear by when subpoenaed to a court proceeding.

What conditions must be met during an interactive video testimony?

There must be a full and meaningful opportunity for the witness to be questioned and cross-examined, the witness must be clearly visible and audible to the judge, jury, parties, and counsel, and the witness must be able to clearly see and hear the proceeding.

Does a defendant have to consent to video testimony by a toxicologist?

Yes, under the bill's amendments, a defendant is deemed to have given consent to the expert witness's appearance by when subpoenaed to court about chemical testing.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Feb 6, 2026House
HCPAC: Reported by committee without a recommendation
Jan 27, 2026HouseCommittee
Sent to HCPAC - Referrals: HCPAC/HJC
Jan 27, 2026New Mexico LegislatureCommittee
Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar, ordered printed and referred to
Jan 22, 2026New Mexico Legislature
Not Printed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Andi Reeb, Stefani Lord, Luis Terrazas and 1 more

PersonAndi Reeb“Co-sponsor of House Bill 57.”Map →

PersonStefani Lord“Primary sponsor of House Bill 57.”Map →

PersonLuis Terrazas“Co-sponsor of House Bill 57.”Map →

locationState of New Mexico“Jurisdiction where the legislation applies and court proceedings occur.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.nmlegis.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 45)
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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