Rep. Javier Martínez

Maddy summaryHB 14 replaces New Mexico's Working Families Tax Credit with a new Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) mirroring the federal program. It directly affects low-income New Mexico residents who qualify for the federal EITC but may have been excluded due to identification or age requirements (e.g., 18-24 year olds), allowing them to claim the credit. The bill sets credit percentages based on the number of qualifying children (2.3% to 13.5%) and establishes income limits ($8,000-$15,200 earned income) and phaseout thresholds ($25,000-$35,200 adjusted gross income). It includes automatic inflation adjustments starting in 2026 and ensures refunds are not treated as taxable income.

Maddy summaryHB 6 requires contractors working on municipal or county projects funded by industrial revenue bonds to pay workers the local prevailing wage and benefits, directly affecting construction workers on these projects over $60,000. It mandates that wage rates be based on collective bargaining agreements for similar work in the area, with the director determining rates annually by October 1. The law requires contractors to post wage rates publicly, withhold payments if underpaid, and allows workers to file complaints for unpaid wages, with investigations completed within 75 days. This amendment to New Mexico’s Public Works Minimum Wage Act ensures fair pay standards for workers on publicly funded construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 252 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico to support kinship caregivers - such as grandparents, relatives, or emotionally significant non-relatives raising children - across five specified counties (Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos, McKinley, and Dona Ana). The program provides economic support through community partners, referrals to services like legal assistance for custody or guardianship, and access to public benefits, with eligibility based on household income and child needs. It allocates $4.5 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2026-2028 to cover staff, legal aid, and program administration. The department must report annually on the pilot’s impact and outcomes to the legislative finance committee.

Maddy summaryHB 10 establishes a dedicated Enforcement Bureau within New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department to oversee cannabis industry compliance. The bureau, staffed by certified law enforcement officers, has authority to conduct inspections (both announced and unannounced), embargo suspect products, seize items violating regulations, and investigate violations. Businesses (licensees) face penalties including felony charges for tampering with embargoed products or selling recalled items, while the bureau must provide written notice and allow administrative hearings for disputes. The law also creates procedures for product recalls, temporary holds on goods, and destruction of illegal or unsafe cannabis products at the licensee's expense. This bill, signed into law on April 9, 2025, directly affects all cannabis businesses operating under New Mexico's regulatory framework.

Maddy summarySB 364 updates New Mexico's law enforcement hiring standards by requiring all new peace officers, police officers, and state police members to either be U.S. citizens or have valid U.S. work authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at the time of appointment. This applies to all law enforcement roles covered by the bill, including city police, county sheriffs, and state police. The bill amends existing statutes to replace the previous citizenship-only requirement with this dual standard, while maintaining other existing qualifications like age, education, background checks, and physical exams. It does not change other hiring criteria but adds this new work authorization requirement for eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates a new independent Office of Child Advocate in New Mexico to oversee child welfare services. It establishes a State Child Advocate position appointed by the governor (with a six-year term), selected by a nine-member committee with diverse expertise including foster care experience and Indian Child Welfare knowledge. The office will review services provided to children in foster care, group homes, or juvenile facilities, handle complaints via a toll-free hotline, and ensure policies protect children's rights. The bill was enacted after passing the legislature and being signed into law on March 21, 2025.