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HB 98

AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT OF EVICTION RECORDS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Janelle Anyanonu and 1 co-sponsor

New Mexico bill proposes automatically sealing eviction records after a set period to reduce housing barriers for tenants with prior evictions.

action postponed indefinitely
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Bill Summary · HB 98

Legislative bill overview

HB 98 would automatically expunge (seal/remove from public record) eviction records in New Mexico after a specified period, rather than requiring tenants to petition courts individually. This aims to remove barriers that eviction records create for housing, employment, and credit access after cases are resolved.

Why is this important

Eviction records are publicly searchable and often prevent tenants from securing future housing, as landlords routinely screen for eviction history. Automatic expungement could help thousands of New Mexicans—particularly low-income renters—access affordable housing and rebuild financially after eviction, while also reducing repeat homelessness cycles.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord concerns: Property managers argue eviction history is legitimate business information needed to assess tenant reliability and risk; automatic expungement limits their ability to make informed decisions
  • Implementation costs: Courts and government agencies require resources to establish automated expungement systems; unclear who bears these administrative expenses
  • Timeline disputes: The bill's specific expungement period (not detailed in summary provided) will likely face debate—shorter timelines help tenants but landlords may argue insufficient time has passed to verify behavior change
  • Scope questions: Whether records should be fully expunged versus sealed, and whether exceptions exist for repeat offenders or unpaid judgments, remain contentious details

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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