Rep. Cynthia Borrego

Maddy summaryHB 493, the Public Finance Accountability Act, creates a new "Public Finance Accountability Fund" administered by the state auditor to help grantees meet financial oversight requirements. It requires all grant recipients (including local governments and nonprofits) to provide annual audit records, fix significant financial weaknesses before receiving funds, and follow strict accounting standards. State agencies must use standardized grant agreements, confirm proper disposal of assets, and conduct field audits of projects. The Department of Finance and Administration will enforce these rules, which take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 117 allows physician assistants (PAs) to certify the cause of death on a death certificate when they were the treating provider for the patient's illness or condition, without requiring physician approval. This directly affects PAs, hospitals, and medical facilities by expanding their authority under New Mexico’s death certification rules (amending Section 24-14-20 NMSA 1978). The key change explicitly adds PAs to the list of authorized certifiers alongside physicians and nurse practitioners, removing the prior need for physician oversight in such cases. It does not alter existing timeframes for filing death certificates or medical investigation procedures. The bill became law after being signed in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 113 creates a state Animal Welfare Program to fund projects supporting domestic cats and dogs, with grants available to municipalities, counties, or nonprofit organizations. It establishes an Animal Welfare Trust Fund (funded by a $10 million one-time transfer from the General Fund) that distributes 5% annually to an Animal Welfare Program Fund, which awards competitive grants for specific initiatives like spay/neuter services, shelter improvements, cruelty enforcement, and low-income household support (income ≤200% of federal poverty level). Projects must address animal welfare needs such as reducing shelter intake, controlling strays, or providing emergency veterinary care. The program requires annual reporting to the legislature on funded projects, unmet requests, and administrative costs, starting October 1, 2028.

Maddy summarySB 127 exempts makeup artists and hairstylists employed in motion picture productions from New Mexico's Barbers and Cosmetologists Act licensing requirements. This bill directly affects film industry workers who provide hair and makeup services during movie shoots. The key provision amends the existing law to add a new exemption category (F) specifically for these professionals in the film industry. As a result, these workers no longer need state licenses to perform their roles on film sets within New Mexico.

Maddy summarySB 100 increases the maximum allowable debt for the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority from $80 million to $120 million. This change directly affects the authority, allowing it to borrow more money for flood control infrastructure projects without needing additional voter approval for amounts up to the new limit. The key provision modifies the existing statute (Section 72-16-44) to raise the debt ceiling, requiring state legislative approval only if the authority exceeds $120 million in outstanding debt. The bill became effective July 1, 2025, after passing the legislature and being signed into law.

Maddy summaryHB 99 streamlines the process for handling nonrepairable vehicles (those declared a total loss by insurers) in New Mexico. It requires insurance companies that pay total loss claims to stamp "NONREPAIRABLE" on the vehicle title and submit a copy to the Motor Vehicle Division within 20 days, instead of requiring vehicle owners to obtain a certificate. This change directly affects insurance companies, who now handle the certification process, and ensures the division issues a formal nonrepairable vehicle certificate. The bill clarifies that vehicles with this certificate cannot be titled or registered for highway use. This is a procedural update to existing vehicle title laws, not a new requirement for vehicle owners.

Maddy summaryHB 8 requires competency evaluation reports for defendants to include a professional's opinion on whether the defendant meets criteria for involuntary commitment or assisted outpatient treatment if found incompetent to stand trial. It creates community-based competency restoration programs for non-dangerous defendants and expands the list of crimes that could trigger commitment proceedings. The bill also mandates courts to advise prosecutors to consider commitment after criminal case dismissal and allows competency reports to be used directly in mental health treatment proceedings. This affects defendants found incompetent, courts, prosecutors, and mental health systems by integrating criminal competency evaluations with mental health treatment pathways.