Rep. Rod Montoya

Maddy summaryHB 543 clarifies that New Mexico's Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act does not override existing laws requiring parental consent for minors seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care. The bill amends the Act to explicitly state that it does not allow minors to access such care without parental consent in any manner not already permitted by current law. This maintains current consent requirements, directly affecting minors, parents, and health care providers. The bill was introduced in the 2025 New Mexico legislature and was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 564 establishes the New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission within the state's economic development department to promote bilateral trade and investment between New Mexico and Ireland. The commission, composed of members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor (including representation from agriculture, energy, tribal communities, and Irish-American groups), will focus on advancing trade in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. It must submit annual reports to state leaders starting in 2026, detailing findings and recommendations to strengthen economic ties. This bill creates a new administrative body without altering existing laws or imposing direct costs on businesses or residents.

Maddy summaryHB 546 creates a new State Racing Commission Nominating Committee to select candidates for the State Racing Commission. The bill requires that all five commission members be chosen from a list of qualified nominees developed by this committee, replacing the previous appointment process. This change directly affects the commission, which oversees horse racing regulations, licensing, and wagering rules in New Mexico. The policy shift standardizes the selection process to ensure nominees meet specific qualifications before being appointed.

Maddy summaryHB 272, the Trade Education Assistance Act, creates a state-funded stipend program to support New Mexico residents pursuing trade education. It provides up to $30,000 annually for living expenses to eligible individuals (New Mexico residents without bachelor's degrees, with dependents, enrolled in department-approved trade programs like construction licensing). The program allocates $100 million from the general fund (non-reverting, meaning unused funds carry over), with the Higher Education Department administering the program and reporting annually on fund usage. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the House on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 403 increases the percentage of oil and gas tax revenue distributed to New Mexico's Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund from two-nineteenths to 19.7 percent, providing more funding for cleanup efforts. The bill requires that at least $40 million or 5% of the fund's average value over the past three years be used annually for surveying abandoned wells and planning their reclamation, while also capping energy education spending at $150,000 per year. It clarifies that the state can plug wells on federal lands without bonds and later seek reimbursement from oil and gas operators through legal action. This legislation would expand resources for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas sites and improving environmental conditions across New Mexico.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to permit state funding for home or private school education. It would remove constitutional barriers (currently in Article 4, Section 31) that prohibit state funds from going to non-state-controlled educational institutions. If approved, it would enable future legislation to create a program providing state funds directly to parents or guardians for school-age children's education in home or private settings. This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not an operational bill.

Maddy summaryHB 185, if passed, would require New Mexico public schools and athletic clubs to designate sports teams, competitions, or events as exclusively for males, females, or co-ed. It prohibits biological males from competing on teams designated for females (using birth certificate sex as eligibility proof), while allowing males only as non-roster practice players. The bill directly affects female athletes, schools, and athletic organizations by mandating separate competition opportunities based on biological sex. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHJR 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Mexico's regular legislative sessions to 45 days (down from 60 in odd years) and remove restrictions on bills considered during even-numbered years. It also allows veto overrides for bills from any session type (regular, special, or extraordinary) within the same two-year legislative cycle. The bill directly affects how the state legislature operates by changing session length rules and veto override procedures. If approved by voters, it would require constitutional changes to the state's governing structure. (Note: The bill passed the House in February 2025 but was postponed in the Senate in June 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 544 would streamline licensing for out-of-state professionals by creating expedited pathways for certain licensed workers to practice in New Mexico without retaking exams. It directly affects healthcare professionals (like genetic counselors, pharmacists, and naturopaths) and other licensed workers (such as architects) who hold active, good-standing licenses in another U.S. state, territory, or foreign country. The bill requires these applicants to pay standard fees and verify their out-of-state license status, but exempts them from New Mexico's licensing exams. The bill was referred to committees in February 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 547 would change sentencing rules for serious violent offenses in New Mexico. It requires judges to consider *only* aggravating circumstances (not mitigating ones) when determining sentence length for these crimes, and specifically prohibits using firearm use, prior convictions, hate crimes, or evidence of core offense elements as aggravating factors. Prosecutors must give defendants five days' notice before seeking a sentence increase based on aggravating circumstances, and any increase cannot exceed one-third of the standard sentence. This bill directly affects defendants convicted of serious violent offenses defined in state law, altering how judges adjust sentences beyond the baseline term. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.