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HB 144

CRIME OF UNLAWFUL SQUATTING

2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Block and 2 co-sponsors

New Mexico bill criminalizes unauthorized property occupation, establishing unlawful squatting as a crime with penalties determined by statute.

action postponed indefinitely
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Bill Summary · HB 144

Legislative bill overview

HB 144 proposes to establish "unlawful squatting" as a criminal offense in New Mexico, creating legal penalties for individuals occupying property without the owner's permission. The bill would provide property owners with statutory remedies against unauthorized occupants beyond existing civil eviction processes. Specific penalties and enforcement mechanisms would be defined within the statute.

Why is this important

Housing security and property rights remain contested issues, particularly as homelessness and vacant property disputes increase in urban areas. This legislation directly affects vulnerable populations (unhoused individuals, unauthorized tenants) and property owners' legal options, while potentially impacting local law enforcement resources and court systems. The criminalization approach differs from civil remedies that currently govern most occupancy disputes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional ambiguity: "Unlawful squatting" requires precise legal definition to avoid criminalizing tenants in legitimate disputes over lease terms, maintenance obligations, or eviction procedures
  • Homelessness criminalization concerns: Advocates worry this creates criminal liability for people with nowhere else to go, potentially increasing incarceration of vulnerable populations rather than addressing housing shortages
  • Property rights vs. due process: Questions about whether criminal penalties properly substitute for civil eviction procedures, and whether owners must follow statutory notice requirements before criminal charges apply
  • Enforcement disparities: Risk of selective enforcement against certain groups or neighborhoods, and unclear coordination between property owners, police, and prosecutors

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

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