Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil

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.

Maddy summarySB 3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, creates a statewide system for coordinating behavioral health services across New Mexico. It requires each geographic region to develop a collaborative regional plan (with input from providers, patients, and agencies) outlining a four-phase expansion of services, prioritizing underserved communities and including performance measures. The law establishes statewide standards for care, mandates annual reporting on plan implementation, and allocates state funds to support regional priorities - such as expanding non-acute care for uninsured patients - while requiring managed care organizations to eliminate patient caps. This directly affects behavioral health providers, patients, and state agencies like the administrative office of the courts and the health care authority, aiming to improve service coordination and access.

Maddy summarySB 1 creates a permanent Behavioral Health Trust Fund in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by a $1 billion transfer from the General Fund. The Trust Fund will invest money and distribute 5% of its average market value annually (starting July 1, 2026) to the Behavioral Health Program Fund. This Program Fund will finance specific services like mental health/substance abuse treatment, infrastructure, workforce support, and regional health plans. The bill directly affects state-funded behavioral health programs and their recipients by establishing a dedicated, ongoing funding source.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates funding for New Mexico's Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain and improve state highways during the 2026 fiscal year. It provides specific budgets for highway construction (e.g., project design and bridge work), road maintenance (e.g., pavement preservation and snow removal), and safety programs (e.g., traffic fatality reduction targets). The bill includes measurable performance goals, such as completing 88% of projects on schedule and maintaining 91% of interstate roads in fair condition. It directly affects DOT operations, infrastructure projects, and state highway maintenance services across New Mexico.