Legislation protects service workers' tipped income and shields consumers from ticket scams

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to protect service worker pay and safeguard affordable access to public events.

House Bill 22, which passed by a vote of 62-5, amends the Minimum Wage Act to close a loophole that allows for credit card fees to be deducted from tipped income. This legislation would ensure that when a customer tips by credit card, the employee receives the full amount of the tip.

"Hardworking New Mexicans deserve to keep the tips they earn from customers," said lead sponsor Rep. Art De La Cruz (D-Albuquerque). "Protecting your rightfully earned wages is an important and commonsense step we can take to help make life better and more affordable for you and your family."

Additional sponsors of HB 22 include Representatives Yanira Gurrola (D-Albuquerque), Joshua Hernandez (R-Rio Rancho), Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Albuquerque), Majority Whip Day Hochman-Vigil (D-Albuquerque), and Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque).
House Bill 26, which passed by a vote of 41-26, would prohibit for-profit ticket reselling for events hosted by the state, a municipality, or a non-profit organization. HB 26 is sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Rio Rancho) and HouseMajority Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe).
"Internet scammers are targeting New Mexicans with overpriced tickets for public events by reselling tickets to state and non-profit events for far more than the tickets' original cost," said Rep. Cates. "House Bill 26 will help make sure these events are affordable for everyday New Mexicans and support our state's local arts and cultural events."
Both of these bills now move to the Senate.
HB 22 and HB 26 are part of the House Democrats' slate of legislation this session to address the rising cost of living by helping to raise pay and strengthen benefits for working people, protect consumers from corporate greed, and lower the costs of essentials, like housing, healthcare, and groceries.

A non-comprehensive list of other affordability legislation introduced by House Democrats so far includes:

Raising minimum pay for school staff (HB 201) and workers on publicly-supported projects (HB 6)
Establishing a commission to study and make recommendations on how to reduce grocery store prices and improve local supply chain issues (HB 17)
Prohibiting grocery and retail stores from using so-called "dynamic" pricing to gouge consumers (HB 285)
Protecting renters from discrimination and artificial rent increases (HB 43, 98, 215, 339)
Improving healthcare access and price transparency (HB 186, 263)

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.