Bond Question 3

Funding for the next phase of the New Mexico Reforestation Center's nursery in Mora County is included in Bond Question 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This page explains where that funding appears, what it would build, and what happens next.

Where NMRC appears on the ballot

NMRC is not named on the ballot. Its funding is one of many projects within Bond Question 3, which covers capital projects at higher education institutions, special schools and tribal schools statewide. The official ballot language reads:

The 2026 Capital Projects General Obligation Bond Act authorizes the issuance and sale of higher education, special schools and tribal schools capital improvement and acquisition bonds. Shall the state be authorized to issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed three hundred fifty-two million two hundred twenty five thousand three hundred seventy-nine dollars ($352,225,379) to make capital expenditures for certain higher education, special schools and tribal schools capital improvements and acquisitions and provide for a general property tax imposition and levy for the payment of principal of, interest on and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds and the collection of the tax as permitted by law?

The project list behind the question is set by House Bill 248 (2026), which the Legislature passed unanimously. It includes $17.65 million for New Mexico State University to construct, furnish and equip the NMRC nursery facility in Mora County. The Secretary of State publishes the full text of all statewide questions in English and Spanish.

What the funding would build

If approved, NMRC's share would fund Phase 2 of the Mora nursery: a third greenhouse and the equipment to run it. The first two greenhouses and the central headhouse are under construction now with state and federal funds. Each phase adds seedling capacity:

Today (existing state nursery): <300,000 seedlings a year

Phase 1, two greenhouses currently under construction: about 1.1 million seedlings a year

Phase 2, third greenhouse (Bond Question 3): about 2.5 million seedlings a year

Full build-out, five greenhouses total: 5 million seedlings a year

Bond funds are one-time capital dollars for construction and equipment. They do not pay for salaries, tuition, scholarships or ongoing operations.

Why seedling capacity matters

About 7 million acres of New Mexico forests and wildlands have burned since 2000. Where fire burns hot enough to kill the seed source, forests often do not return on their own within a human lifetime.

Forested watersheds supply much of New Mexico's surface water. When they burn, downstream communities face flooding, debris flows and degraded drinking water for years. The state's existing burn scars need an estimated 390 million trees, against a current production capacity of less than 300,000 seedlings a year.

NMRC seedlings are grown from seed collected by elevation and seed zone, conditioned in the greenhouse for heat and drought, and matched to the sites where they are most likely to survive. Partner research at all three universities informs where and how they are planted.

After the election

If Bond Question 3 is approved, the State Board of Finance sells the bonds, and proceeds would be available to NMSU in summer 2027. Construction of the third greenhouse would follow, with completion targeted for the end of 2028, in time for a 2029 crop.

If it is not approved, the third greenhouse would not be funded through this bond. NMRC and its partners would seek capital funding through other sources, and the timeline to reach full capacity would extend.

This page will be updated with the result after the election is certified.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a new tax? GO Bond 3 does not increase the current tax rate.

Is this annual funding? No. The $17.65 million is a one-time capital appropriation for construction and equipment.

Where will the seedlings go? Seedlings are grown in Mora County and planted in burn scars across New Mexico, on state, federal, tribal and private land.

Who runs NMRC? NMRC is a partnership of four public institutions. New Mexico State University is the fiscal agent and would administer the bond funds.

Does NMRC take a position on Bond Question 3? This page provides factual information only. Decisions on ballot questions are for voters.

Voter information

Vote on Higher Ed Bond 3. Bond Question 3 appears near the end of the ballot, after the constitutional amendments. Early voting runs through October 31. Election Day is November 3, with same-day registration at all polling locations. Find your polling place, sample ballot and full election calendar at NMVOTE.GOV.

Questions about NMRC: jenn@nmreforestation.org