State Public Safety Grant Guide
New Mexico Public Safety Grants
Current funding pathways and clear guidance on New Mexico drone procurement, federal award rules and cybersecurity for public-safety agencies.
New Mexico agencies can pursue direct federal justice funding and state-administered justice, emergency-management, homeland-security, fire and cybersecurity programs. Funding depends on the specific applicant, project, notice and award conditions; a listed program is a starting point for a project plan.
State and federal rules have different scopes. The cited 2013 drone-surveillance and 2026 critical-infrastructure bills did not become law. State IT security rules apply to state systems and connected vendors, while federal award funds and FCC authorization can affect equipment regardless of a statewide drone manufacturer ban. Read MAXSUR’s NDAA, TAA, FCC & Blue UAS guide for the federal frameworks.
Planning update: The former page’s projected grant dates and “mandatory NDAA compliance” blanket statement are removed. Its FY2024 Local JAG figures were formula allocations, not confirmed awards, so they are not repeated as an award-example table.
New Mexico Procurement & Cybersecurity
Apply the Funding, Equipment and Network Rules Separately
A local funding source does not resolve federal project use, FCC authorization or state-network security review.
No Blanket Origin List Found
Review the particular agency and funding source; a local purchase is not blanket approval for every mission.
ASDA Applies to Funds
OMB M-26-02 restricts federal award money for FASC-prohibited UAS procurement or operation.
Prior Approval & Blue UAS
BJA’s September 2026 guidance adds express approval, cleared-list certification and privacy/cyber assurances.
IT Security Controls
1.12.20 NMAC governs executive-branch and other state entities using state IT infrastructure.
New Mexico Bills: Confirm What Was Enacted
The 2013 Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act (SB 556) proposed law-enforcement drone-surveillance controls but was postponed indefinitely. 2026 SB 136 proposed offenses involving image capture and conduct near critical infrastructure, with specified exceptions; it too was postponed indefinitely. Neither proposal should be stated as a current statewide drone purchasing or operating rule.
This review did not identify a statewide manufacturer-origin ban governing every New Mexico agency purchase. Check agency directives, local procurement terms, federal-site contracts, tribal authority, FAA requirements and site permissions for a particular mission.
Federal Award Dollars: ASDA and OMB M-26-02
Since December 22, 2025, OMB M-26-02, Appendix D generally prohibits federal award funds from being used to procure or in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to specified exemptions and waivers. That can matter even if the aircraft was previously bought with local funds and later deployed on a federally funded project. Document the scope and charges with the awarding agency; do not assume every foreign-made device falls under a single blanket definition.
Federal-site contractors should assess their actual federal contract clauses separately. The presence of a military base or laboratory in New Mexico does not itself extend a federal contract prohibition to every municipal purchase in the state.
BJA-Funded UAS: Additional Approval
BJA’s UAS guidance, updated September 17, 2026, permits UAS purchases under its programs only with express prior approval. Its required certification concerns UAS verified on the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Blue UAS Cleared List as not manufactured by a covered foreign entity, along with restrictions on modifications, accessories and processing federal information. The recipient must address privacy, civil liberties and cybersecurity and check the Consolidated Screening List.
These are BJA award conditions, not a New Mexico statewide Blue UAS requirement. Budget the requested equipment and certification before applying or use the award-modification route for an existing award.
State-Connected Cameras, Controllers and Clouds
1.12.20 NMAC applies to executive agencies and other state entities using state IT infrastructure, including contractors and third parties handling state information. It requires documented security operations, network controls, access management and approval before certain third-party network connections. For an integrated drone or video system, document device inventories, firmware/update channels, vendor support, data routing and storage, encryption, retention, account access and incident response.
Municipal and tribal buyers should apply their own governing IT and procurement policies. Do not treat the state-network rule as an automatic ban on a named camera maker across all New Mexico local governments.
Section 889, FCC, TAA and the Mission
NDAA Section 889 covers specified telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services in its applicable federal contract and award contexts. FCC Covered List and equipment authorization can affect new UAS models and radio-equipped products, with agency guidance and exemptions requiring product-specific checks. TAA requirements depend on the procurement clause; Blue UAS is a separate vetting pathway.
Check FAA public-aircraft or Part 107 authority, airspace, federal installation and site permissions, privacy/evidence policy, and current FCC authorization before deployment. The MAXSUR federal procurement explainer distinguishes these frameworks.
Practical New Mexico UAS Procurement Checklist
- Identify buyer, mission and dollars. Record the public agency, grant, subcontract and whether local, state or federal funds will pay for acquisition, operation or data processing.
- Do not rely on a blanket state exemption. No enacted statewide manufacturer blacklist was identified in this review, but assess agency policy, federal award conditions, FCC status and security requirements.
- Screen the federal UAS rule. For federal awards, apply ASDA and OMB M-26-02 to the exact UAS and operation; request any exemption or waiver through the proper federal channel.
- Get BJA approval before a BJA-funded UAS. BJA requires express prior approval, a Blue UAS Cleared List certification and privacy/cybersecurity assurances under its current UAS guidance.
- Check cameras and radios separately. Review applicable Section 889 covered telecom/video-surveillance restrictions, FCC Covered List and equipment authorization, and any TAA clauses.
- Assess New Mexico IT security. For state IT infrastructure and its contractors, apply 1.12.20 NMAC and state CIO/agency approvals for network connections, remote access and data protection; local policies may differ.
- Document deployment and retain records. Keep product and component evidence, data flow, firmware/update path, vendor access, FAA authorizations, grant approvals and the procurement decision.
Review the exact program: Grant administrators determine allowable costs and documentation. A product label such as “NDAA compliant” cannot substitute for the current federal award, FCC, state IT and mission checks.
Funding Pathways
New Mexico Grant Opportunities
Official administrator pages and current federal notices replace projections. An active program does not imply an open application or approval of a drone.
| Grant / Program | Level | Administrator | Project Fit | Status / Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BJA FY2026 Local JAG Formula | Federal direct | BJA | Formula-listed New Mexico jurisdictions; eligible justice equipment and technology subject to grant and UAS conditions | Open: Grants.gov Oct. 9; JustGrants Oct. 16, 2026 (ET) |
| New Mexico State Byrne JAG | Federal pass-through | NM DPS Grants Management Bureau | Drug and violent-crime priorities and specific local/state subawards; NM DPS posted its FFY2026 state application | Check DPS for any local notice; state application is not a general open equipment grant |
| NM Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program | Federal pass-through | NM DPS / BJA | Specific crisis intervention and gun-violence projects under an actual NM DPS solicitation | Second FY2022–23 solicitation closed Aug. 28, 2026; check next notice |
| NM State Homeland Security Grant Program | Federal pass-through | NMDHSEM / FEMA | Risk-based terrorism preparedness planning, organization, equipment, training and exercises | 2026 SHSGP NOFO and investment justifications posted; verify state window |
| NM Emergency Management Performance Grant | Federal pass-through | NMDHSEM / FEMA | All-hazards emergency-management program capacity under the state plan and eligible costs | 2026 state NOFO and local work plan posted; check submission instructions |
| NM State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | Federal pass-through | NMDHSEM / FEMA-CISA | Approved state, local and tribal information-system cybersecurity projects and services | Check DHSEM for subrecipient project worksheet and current availability |
| NM Fire Protection Grant | State program | State Fire Marshal / Fire Grant Council | Specified apparatus, SCBA/PPE, communications, facility and ISO-impact projects | Posted FY26 application window has passed; check next cycle and category limits |
| NM DPS Paul Coverdell Forensic Science | Federal pass-through | NM DPS / BJA | Approved forensic laboratory quality, efficiency and accreditation projects; limited eligible institutions | Ask DPS about eligibility and any subaward |
| NMDOT Traffic Safety Programs | Federal/state programs | NMDOT Traffic Safety Division / NHTSA | Impaired driving, occupant protection, pedestrian and other data-driven traffic-safety priorities | Check NMDOT for current funding agreements and project process |
| BJA FY2026 Body-Worn Camera Program | Federal direct | BJA | Body-camera policy, deployment and implementation for eligible law enforcement; distinct from UAS | Grants.gov first stage closed Sep. 25; JustGrants Oct. 2 only for first-stage applicants |
| COPS School Violence Prevention Program | Federal direct | COPS Office | Eligible school-security technology, coordination and training in the federal notice | FY2026 round closed; monitor next notice |
| COPS Technology and Equipment Program | Federal direct | COPS Office | Specified technology projects for congressionally designated recipients | FY2026 invitational round closed; not an open competition |
| FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant | Federal direct | FEMA | Eligible fire and EMS equipment and training under an AFG notice | Check next federal notice and exact equipment rules |
Near-term: FY2026 direct Local JAG lists October 9 for Grants.gov and October 16 for JustGrants (Eastern time) for formula-eligible jurisdictions. The BJA body-camera first stage closed September 25; October 2 is available only to those who submitted that stage. NM DPS still lists an August 28 SCIP solicitation, which has passed; do not treat it as open.
Grant Planning
Match the New Mexico Mission to an Eligible Program
Build a project around the applicant, measurable outcome, current state or federal notice and actual allowable cost.
Justice and investigations
NM DPS is the state JAG administrator and has posted its FFY2026 state proposal. Direct Local JAG serves listed jurisdictions; state pass-through priorities and local subaward notices are separate. For BJA-funded UAS, budget the equipment and obtain the current prior approval and certifications.
Homeland security and preparedness
NMDHSEM has posted a 2026 SHSGP notice and investment justifications. Applicants must follow the state preparedness strategy and eligibility conditions, including NIMS and local THIRA/SPR and IPP requirements. Align equipment and training with the authorized capability.
Emergency management and cybersecurity
NMDHSEM’s 2026 EMPG state notice and local work plan support all-hazards emergency-management capacity. Its SLCGP page provides a local consent form and project worksheet for approved cyber-risk reduction. Confirm whether a proposed system or service belongs in the particular award.
Fire and traffic safety
The Fire Protection Grant has defined project categories and eligibility, including specified radio compatibility; it is not a general drone subsidy. NMDOT Traffic Safety Division administers data-driven road-safety work. Use each administrator’s current instructions rather than the old page’s projected dates.
Schools, cameras and direct federal awards
BJA body-camera awards, COPS SVPP, FEMA AFG and congressionally designated COPS TEP each have different applicants and eligible equipment. Closed or invitation-only programs should remain planning pathways until a new notice is published.
Funding sequence: establish applicant and mission; verify notice and equipment allowability; obtain UAS prior approvals if applicable; screen federal restrictions and FCC authorization; complete IT and flight review; retain the written decision.
New Mexico UAS Procurement FAQ
Common New Mexico Compliance Questions
Check current law, award language and the exact system before purchase or deployment.
Does New Mexico ban all foreign-made drones for local police?
No blanket New Mexico statewide manufacturer blacklist was identified as of this review. That does not approve a particular aircraft: federal funding, FCC equipment authorization, agency procurement and cybersecurity policies can still restrict the purchase or use.
Did the 2013 Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act become law?
No. New Mexico SB 556 (2013) was action postponed indefinitely. Its proposed drone-surveillance warrant rules should not be presented as current state law.
Did the 2026 critical-infrastructure drone proposal pass?
No. SB 136 proposed criminal offenses related to drone imaging and interference near critical infrastructure, with exemptions. The official legislative status is action postponed indefinitely. Check other applicable federal, site and agency flight rules.
Can local dollars later support a federally funded drone operation?
A locally purchased aircraft is not automatically eligible for a federal project. OMB M-26-02, Appendix D bars federal award funds used in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to exemptions and waivers; examine the project cost allocation and agreement.
Does every federal camera purchase fall under the American Security Drone Act?
No. ASDA addresses specified UAS; camera and telecom equipment must be evaluated under applicable Section 889 grant/contract terms, FCC rules and other award clauses. Different tests can apply to one integrated system.
What does New Mexico’s state IT security rule cover?
1.12.20 NMAC applies to executive branch agencies and other state entities using state IT infrastructure, including relevant contractors and third parties. It requires security controls such as documented procedures, network controls, access management and approvals for certain third-party connections. It should not be described as an automatic rule for every municipal network.
Is Blue UAS required for every New Mexico purchase?
New Mexico’s state law does not establish a universal Blue UAS mandate in the material reviewed. BJA’s updated UAS award guidance, however, expressly requires its Blue UAS Cleared List certification and prior approval for BJA-funded UAS.
Can any of these grants pay for a drone?
Only a specific notice and administrator can approve the cost. BJA UAS purchases need express prior approval and certifications; SHSGP and EMPG projects must meet their state strategy, applicant and allowable-cost rules. An administrator link does not itself establish eligibility.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect New Mexico Funding to Field Capability
Match technology and cybersecurity controls to an approved public-safety mission and budget.
Procurement Pathway
Move From Grant Approval to a Documented Purchase
Confirm the grant’s allowable cost, federal UAS and surveillance conditions, state or local IT controls, FCC status and FAA mission approval before ordering.
Cooperative purchasing does not waive grant allowability or public-agency procurement rules. Confirm the method and exact system with the administrator and procurement office.