October 22, 2024

Department proposes $61.6M budget to regulate industries and professions statewide

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department is requesting $61.6 million in total funding for Fiscal Year 2026 to continue its mission of ensuring qualified professionals provide quality care and services to all people in New Mexico.

NMRLD’s FY26 budget request would provide an additional $562,200 over FY25 to recruit extra enforcement personnel for the Cannabis Control Division (CCD). That request is contingent on the legislature approving expanded enforcement authority for the department.

“The Cannabis Control Division needs more resources to better serve its licensees and curb the illicit market,” said Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent Clay Bailey. “Only with the legislature’s support can the CCD expand its compliance staff and create law enforcement positions that will provide us the authority to take action against unlicensed, criminal activity.”

NMRLD’s major FY26 requests include:

• $1,970,500 from the General Fund to recruit 10 additional Compliance Officers for the CCD
• $560,000 special request from the General Fund to cover vehicles for 10 additional CCD compliance officer positions
• $745,000 special request from the General Fund for equipment to handle orders of seizure, destruction, or embargo of noncompliant cannabis products

Requests contingent on legislation granting NMRLD law enforcement authority include:

• $1,108,000 expansion request from the Cannabis Regulatory Fund that would give the department seven special agents to carry out law enforcement duties to help combat criminal activity in the cannabis industry
• $465,000 special request from the General Fund for law enforcement special agent vehicles

“The work we do here at NMRLD is critical to New Mexico’s economy and public safety,” Bailey said. “We remain committed to ensuring businesses and professionals are operating safely and legally, and meeting the standards set by their industries.”

NMRLD certifies and regulates approximately 400,000 individuals and businesses that fall into the following seven divisions: Alcoholic Beverage Control, Boards and Commissions, Cannabis Control, Construction Industries, Financial Institutions, Manufactured Housing, and Securities.

The department frequently levies fines and penalties against licensees who violate the law. In FY24, NMRLD collected $1,070,942 in penalties across its seven divisions. All fines and penalties are remitted to the State Treasurer and deposited by law in the Current School Fund.