Bill > HB66

This bill makes several key changes to workers' compensation and occupational disease disablement laws in New Mexico, primarily focusing on increasing the limits for discovery costs and attorney fees. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum amount employers must advance for discovery costs from $3,500 to $4,000 on January 1, 2027, and then to $4,500 on January 1, 2029. Similarly, the maximum allowable attorney fees will increase from $30,000 in 2025 to $32,000 in 2027 and $34,000 in 2029. The bill maintains existing provisions that allow workers' compensation judges to award additional fees (up to $5,000) if a party is found to have acted in "bad faith" in handling a claim. The legislation also requires the advisory council on workers' compensation and occupational disease disablement to review these fee and cost limits by May 1, 2029, and make recommendations to the legislature about potential adjustments. These changes apply to both workers' compensation claims for accidental injuries and occupational disease disablement claims, aiming to provide more flexibility and potentially fairer compensation for legal services in these types of cases.

Budget and Finance, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=66&year=25