Senate Memorial 18 requests the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Transportation, and the Workforce Solutions Department to establish a task force to examine the effects of the Public Works Minimum Wage Act on the costs associated with public works and capital outlay projects in New Mexico. The memorial highlights that the Public Works Minimum Wage Act mandates higher wages for public works contracts exceeding $60,000, which can lead to increased project costs compared to the Minimum Wage Act. It also notes that a reduction in labor costs could potentially allow for more extensive public infrastructure development.

The task force will consist of representatives from labor, construction industries, state and local government, and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of New Mexico. It is tasked with studying the implications of both the Public Works Minimum Wage Act and the federal Davis-Bacon Act on public works project costs and will be expected to provide recommendations for potential changes to the Public Works Minimum Wage Act. The task force is required to submit its findings to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 1, 2026.