Rep. Cynthia Borrego

Maddy summaryHB 153 establishes a state rebate program to incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as cement, steel, and glass, in eligible projects (over one residential unit or 5,000 square feet of nonresidential space). Material buyers (e.g., developers or contractors) can receive rebates for purchasing materials meeting emissions benchmarks set by the Department of Environment - 15% below industry-average greenhouse gas emissions - verified through independently assessed environmental product declarations. Rebates are capped at $500,000 per project and $10 million statewide annually, with priority given to projects achieving the greatest emissions reductions and using New Mexico-made materials. The program requires annual reporting on emissions reductions and includes strict antifraud measures, including penalties for false claims.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 17 requests New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department to create a task force by July 2026. The task force will study industry practices - including talent management, casting services, and agent activities - and recommend a regulatory framework for New Mexico's film, TV, and performing arts sectors. It will include representatives from unions, film offices, casting organizations, and government departments. The goal is to address gaps in oversight and develop transparency measures for performers, managers, and producers, with a final report due November 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 128 presumes that certain cancers and health conditions diagnosed after specific employment periods are caused by firefighting work, directly affecting full-time non-volunteer firefighters in New Mexico. It lists 17 cancer types (like bladder, breast, lung, and leukemia) that are presumed work-related after 5-15 years of service, along with infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis) and PTSD requiring physical impairment. The bill shifts the burden of proof: employers must rebut these presumptions with evidence showing non-work causes, and medical treatment for covered conditions must be provided as if work-related. This aims to streamline access to workers' compensation for firefighters facing job-linked health issues without requiring them to prove causation in court.

Maddy summaryHB 270 requires employers working on most New Mexico public works construction projects to contribute to apprenticeship or training programs, or to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund administered by the Workforce Solutions Department. The bill sets a zero contribution rate for trades without approved apprenticeship programs (such as certain street, highway, or utility projects), ensuring employers aren't required to pay if no local program exists. It amends existing law to clarify administration, compliance verification, and penalty enforcement for these contributions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting public works contractors and the state's workforce development system.

Maddy summaryHB 165 clarifies that property lessees under industrial revenue bond leases must pay special assessments for eligible energy, water, or resilience improvements on commercial, industrial, or large residential properties. The bill amends New Mexico law to explicitly include lessees (not just owners) as responsible for these payments under the Improvement Special Assessment Act. Key provisions require counties to record liens securing these assessments against the property, with the payment obligation tied to the lease agreement. This directly affects lessees of properties with five or more dwelling units or industrial facilities financed through such leases. The bill does not change the types of qualifying improvements or create new financing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 43 amends New Mexico's Public Employees Retirement Act to clarify disability and survivor pension rules, including removing inconsistencies in survivor pension calculations. It creates a disability review committee within the retirement board to handle disability retirement claims. The bill also allows state fire members and other eligible public safety workers (like police officers) to earn retirement service credit during approved workers' compensation leave if their employer continues paying both employee and employer pension contributions. Technical changes are made to service credit purchase and reinstatement procedures for members.

Maddy summaryHB 549 proposes a new third-degree felony offense for carrying a firearm while trafficking controlled substances in New Mexico. It directly affects individuals convicted of drug trafficking (violating Section 30-31-20 NMSA) who also carry a firearm, defined as any weapon designed to expel projectiles. The bill would impose a felony penalty, requiring sentencing under existing third-degree felony guidelines (Section 31-18-15 NMSA). The law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted. The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 249 amends New Mexico's unemployment law to allow the Secretary of Workforce Solutions to waive the standard one-week waiting period for benefits during declared federal or state emergencies or disasters. This change would directly help unemployed workers who lose jobs due to events like wildfires, floods, or other declared emergencies by enabling faster access to benefits. The bill modifies Section 51-1-5(4) of the unemployment code to give the Secretary authority to eliminate the waiting week requirement when emergencies are officially recognized. It does not alter other eligibility rules but streamlines benefit access during crisis situations.

Maddy summaryHB 335, the Licensing Time Frames Transparency Act, requires the state's Construction Industries Division and local agencies with delegated authority to issue construction permits and licenses to publicly report processing times and pending applications. Starting January 1, 2026, these agencies must publish quarterly on the state website the average, median, and maximum processing times for each permit type, along with the number of pending applications. This transparency gives businesses and individuals clear, real-time data on typical wait times for construction-related permits. The bill does not change processing requirements but mandates disclosure of current time frames to improve clarity for applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 138, the Hospital Patient Safety Act, requires all New Mexico hospitals to establish two committees: one focused on nursing staffing (with at least 51% direct care nurses) and another for professional/technical staff. These committees must develop written staffing plans prioritizing patient safety and review them annually using specific data, including missed breaks, overtime hours, and patient outcomes. The bill directly affects hospitals licensed under New Mexico's Public Health Act, mandating concrete changes to how staffing levels are planned and monitored. Key provisions include requiring committees to meet quarterly, maintain transparent minutes, and base staffing decisions on hospital-specific data rather than fixed ratios. The legislation aims to address staffing challenges through collaborative, data-driven planning without prescribing specific nurse-to-patient ratios.