A legislator raised safety concerns after a recent rollover involving a truck carrying hydrochloric acid on New Mexico 28 and asked whether the Department of Transportation restricts hazardous‑materials movements. Representative Latta said the load posed risks near agricultural and residential areas and urged the department to consider designated routing.

Representative Latta described the incident: "we had a truck turnover on New Mexico 28. It was clearing hydrochloric acid, and and that's not good." He said he had asked around and could not find an agricultural use for hydrochloric acid and asked whether the department could develop designated routes to keep such materials away from schools and populated areas.

A DOT official responded that New Mexico does not generally maintain designated hazardous routes except for radioactive materials, and that the Transportation Commission “has the sole and exclusive authority to allow or to provide for whip routes.” The DOT official said, “I don't know if, if a chemical like hydrochloric acid is fits that bill or not, but I can definitely look into that. And if that's the case, we probably just, combine it into our whip route designation.”

Why this matters: the committee heard that hazardous loads move through rural corridors that serve farms, schools and residential communities; lawmakers said a designated routing approach could reduce exposure and improve emergency response planning.

What was decided: DOT agreed to investigate whether hydrochloric acid and similar shipments should be covered by existing route designation authorities and to report back to the committee; no formal policy change or rulemaking was adopted during the hearing.

Ending: Lawmakers said they would follow up with DOT staff; DOT said it would explore the question and consider whether to pursue action through the Transportation Commission.