Rep. Pat Roybal Caballero

Maddy summaryHB 570 prohibits health insurers in New Mexico from requiring prior authorization for specific covered services, including chemotherapy, dialysis, elder care, and home health care. It also removes prior authorization requirements for prescription medications treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or substance use disorders - unless a biosimilar, interchangeable biologic, or generic alternative is available. Insurers may still request post-service notifications and treatment plans compliant with federal law. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking these covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 246 increases New Mexico's minimum wage to $17.00 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual adjustments based on inflation using the Consumer Price Index. It affects most covered employees, including those in retail, hospitality, and service industries, while excluding specific categories like certain agricultural workers and executive roles as defined in the Minimum Wage Act. The bill repeals prior exemption language and mandates the new wage rate to be adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. This change would directly impact workers currently earning below $17.00 hourly who are not covered by existing exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 49, the Closed Captioning Act, requires most public venues in New Mexico - including restaurants, stores, theaters, and hotels - to display closed captions (text showing dialogue) on TVs during regular business hours. It applies to any "place of public accommodation" where TVs are shown to the public, excluding only small operations like single-room rentals. Venues must enable captions unless TVs can’t display them or federal law exempts the program. The Attorney General enforces the law through public complaints and can impose fines up to $250 for first violations, increasing to $500 for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 169, the Public Expression Protection Act, creates a legal shield to dismiss civil lawsuits targeting speech on public issues by allowing defendants to file a "special motion" within 60 days of being sued, which pauses all other legal proceedings until the motion is resolved. The law applies to communications in government proceedings, speech on public matters, or exercise of free speech rights, but excludes government employees acting officially, public safety enforcement, and business sales communications (while protecting creative works like journalism). If the court rules the speech is protected and the plaintiff fails to show the law doesn’t apply, the case is dismissed without trial. This bill directly affects individuals, journalists, activists, and organizations engaging in public discourse by making it easier to end lawsuits that could suppress such speech.

Maddy summarySB 487 amends New Mexico's election code to establish "voter convenience centers" by consolidating precincts, primarily affecting county election officials and voters across the state. Key provisions require these centers to be ADA-compliant, serve at least 10 precincts for general elections (15 for local elections), provide accessible voting systems, and maintain broadband connectivity for real-time voter data. The bill specifically aims to improve accessibility for voters with disabilities and streamline voting in areas with high absentee voter rates (e.g., designating precincts as mail-only if 55%+ of voters are on permanent absentee lists). It does not create new emergency voting procedures but refines standard election logistics for greater efficiency and inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 520 creates the "Sustain the Families Trust Fund" in New Mexico, a permanent state fund designed to provide income subsidies directly to lower-income residents who are considered most disadvantaged. The fund will be financed through state appropriations, donations, and investment income, with money managed by the state investment officer following prudent investment rules and in consultation with the health care authority. Quarterly and annual reports on fund investments must be submitted to legislative committees, ensuring transparency in how the money is handled. This bill establishes a concrete mechanism to deliver financial assistance to vulnerable residents through a dedicated state fund.

Maddy summaryHB 130, the Public Banking Act, establishes the Public Bank of New Mexico as a state-created financial institution governed by an 11-member board. The board includes members appointed by the legislative council and governor with specific expertise in banking, community development, and state economic roles, while prohibiting conflicts of interest. The bill creates a State Banking Fund to manage the bank’s assets, authorizes lending and investment activities aligned with community development goals, and requires quarterly reporting to legislative committees. It does not directly affect specific residents or businesses but sets the operational structure for a new state-run financial entity. The bill is currently pending after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 442, titled "Mobile Home Rent Stabilization," would limit rent increases for residents in New Mexico mobile home parks. Starting July 1, 2025, landlords could raise rents only once per year, with a maximum 3% increase for the first year (2025-2026) and 5% annually thereafter. The bill also revises penalties for landlords violating the Mobile Home Park Act, making them liable for twice the monthly rent per violation instead of a flat $500 penalty. This bill was amended and postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 7 establishes the Children's Future Fund to support New Mexico children born on or after January 1, 2025, with funds intended for education, housing, entrepreneurship, and retirement. The bill creates a nonreverting state trust fund (initially appropriated $5 million for task force operations), exempts distributions from state income tax, and explicitly states benefits are not guaranteed or guaranteed property rights. A task force (appointed by July 2025) will develop implementation details like eligibility, application processes, and investment strategies before benefits are distributed. The fund's administration and disbursement rules will be finalized by the task force, with its report due December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 290, the Vibrant Communities Act, creates a state program to provide public funding (grants or leases) to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(12 nonprofits for community projects addressing public health, safety, or welfare. Qualifying nonprofits must apply annually, detailing how projects align with local priorities and demonstrating community need. The Department of Finance and Administration administers the program, requiring contracts that include compliance with laws, ongoing reporting, and provisions for recapturing funds if projects fail to meet public purpose goals. This legislation directly affects nonprofits serving community needs and requires legislative approval for each funded project.