Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil

Maddy summaryThis bill bans New Mexico employers from requiring employees (including prospective, current, or former workers and independent contractors) to sign secrecy agreements or non-disparagement clauses related to workplace harassment, discrimination, or retaliation claims. It prohibits employers from preventing employees from disclosing such claims, whether occurring on-site, at work events, or between employees/employers. The law allows limited confidentiality only for settlement amounts or at an employee’s request, and voids any secrecy provision that blocks disclosure of facts about the underlying claim. Employees can discuss their experiences without fear of legal action for breaching such agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 94 amends New Mexico's Optometry Act to expand optometrists' scope of practice regarding specific laser procedures and strengthen the Board of Optometry's authority. It directly affects optometrists seeking to perform laser treatments for eye conditions like capsular clouding or glaucoma (e.g., laser trabeculoplasty), requiring them to obtain board credentialing. Key provisions establish two pathways for credentialing: graduating from an accredited optometry program with a national exam pass, or completing a 32-hour accredited training course plus supervised live-patient practice under an ophthalmologist or certified optometrist. The bill also clarifies the Board's role in enforcing these rules, issuing advisory opinions, and managing licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes police officers and New Mexico Department of Transportation employees to move vehicles, debris, or other obstacles blocking roadways when they create immediate safety risks. It allows officials to clear such hazards from the traveled portion of roads without facing liability for damage to the hazard itself. The law applies statewide to all public roads and aims to improve traffic safety by enabling faster removal of dangerous obstacles. It does not change liability rules for damage to vehicles or property owned by others.

Maddy summaryHB 208 requires New Mexico law enforcement officers to display their name, rank, and agency on their uniform and provide identification upon request during public interactions. It prohibits officers from wearing face coverings that obscure their identity (except medical masks during health emergencies) and bans concealing their agency name while on duty. Exceptions apply for undercover operations, SWAT teams, and bomb disposal work. Violations are punishable as misdemeanors, with the law taking immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryHB 213 proposes to expand the scope of practice for optometrists in New Mexico by adding specific minor surgical procedures to the definition of "practice of optometry." The bill would allow optometrists to perform procedures like removing superficial eyelid lesions, foreign bodies from the eye, and certain laser treatments for conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma - previously restricted to ophthalmologists. It also grants the Board of Optometry additional authority to develop certification standards for pharmaceutical use and laser procedures. This change directly affects optometrists in New Mexico by expanding their permitted clinical services without physician supervision. The bill, currently in committee review, does not alter existing exemptions for physicians or eyeglass sellers.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 23 requests the Regulation and Licensing Department and Motor Vehicle Division to study reestablishing New Mexico's statewide motor vehicle safety inspection program. The study would examine benefits based on research showing states with such programs have 10.3% fewer traffic fatalities and 20% of vehicles in Missouri had safety defects detected during inspections. It directs the departments to report findings and implementation recommendations to state agencies and the legislature by 2026, following New Mexico's prior 1970s program that ended due to implementation challenges. This memorial does not create a new law but seeks data to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThe New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act (HB 292) requires all state and local correctional facilities - including prisons, jails, lockups, and community confinement centers - to adopt zero-tolerance policies against sexual abuse and harassment. Each facility must appoint a dedicated coordinator to oversee prevention, detection, and response efforts, with clear definitions of terms like "sexual abuse" and "facility" to ensure consistent application. This law directly affects inmates, detainees, and staff by mandating specific safety protocols in confinement settings. It establishes concrete standards for accountability without specifying enforcement penalties or expected outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 96 creates a temporary working group to study the feasibility of establishing a state space commission in New Mexico. The group, appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders with aerospace expertise, must develop recommendations on the commission's structure, scope, and board design by October 1, 2026. It will identify key aerospace stakeholders, outline a strategic plan including workforce pathways, and propose a budget framework. The working group will report findings to the economic development committee, with $200,000 allocated for its administrative support. This bill does not create a commission but sets the process for evaluating one.

Maddy summaryHJM 3 is a joint memorial requesting two reports about New Mexico's PFAS Protection Act (HB 212, enacted in 2025). It asks the Environmental Improvement Board to assess how well the law's phaseout rules for PFAS-containing products are working, and the Department of Environment to evaluate risks from exemptions (like those for fluoropolymers) and recommend changes. The reports must cover implementation effectiveness, public health/environmental risks, and economic impacts. Agencies must submit preliminary findings by December 2026 and a final report by August 2027. This memorial does not change laws but seeks data to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryHB 8 creates a $300 million Higher Education Major Projects Fund in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by a transfer from the general fund. The bill allows state universities and community colleges to use these funds for major construction projects, including research facilities costing $50 million or more, student housing, and student life facilities like recreation centers. It requires institutions to cover 25-50% of project costs through non-state sources (like donations or bonds), with waivers possible if institutions cannot afford matches. Initial priorities include $150 million for a new UNM medical school, $50 million for a NMSU building, and $100 million for student housing statewide.