The bill amends the Minimum Wage Act in New Mexico to increase the minimum wage for certain employees and establish an annual adjustment based on inflation. Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum wage will be set at $17.00 per hour, with subsequent annual adjustments determined by the consumer price index. The bill introduces a new definition for "consumer price index" and specifies that the minimum wage will not decrease even if the consumer price index falls. Additionally, it clarifies that employees cannot be required to work more than 40 hours a week without receiving overtime pay.

Furthermore, the bill repeals Section 50-4-23 of the Minimum Wage Act, which likely contained outdated provisions. The amendments also redefine terms such as "employer" and "employee," expanding the scope of who is included under these definitions while removing certain exemptions that previously applied to specific groups of workers. Overall, the bill aims to enhance wage protections for workers in New Mexico by ensuring a higher minimum wage and regular adjustments to keep pace with inflation.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 50-4-21, 50-4-22, 50-4-23