Rep. Meredith Dixon

Maddy summaryHB 448 creates the Office of Housing Planning and Production within New Mexico's Department of Finance and Administration to address housing challenges. The office will develop statewide housing strategies, collect and analyze housing data (including regional gaps and market trends), and provide technical assistance to local governments, tribes, and communities to increase housing availability - especially for low-income and homeless households. Key duties include streamlining land use regulations, promoting innovative housing solutions (like modular homes), and coordinating state and local efforts to reduce costs and grow housing capacity. This bill directly affects New Mexicans facing housing shortages, with a focus on improving access through data-driven policy and local partnerships.

Maddy summaryHB 461 would require New Mexico health insurers to establish a process allowing qualified health care professionals (like doctors and specialists) to bypass prior authorization for outpatient services. To qualify, a professional must have at least 90% of their prior authorization requests approved in the previous six-month period (an "evaluation period"). Insurers must grant exemptions within 10 business days if criteria are met, and can only rescind exemptions after reviewing a random sample of 5-20 claims and providing 25 days' notice, unless fraud or abuse is suspected. Health care professionals denied or having exemptions rescinded can request an independent review by a licensed physician within 30 days, with insurers covering review costs.

Maddy summaryHJM 4 is a Joint Memorial requesting the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology to study direct air capture (DAC) technology's benefits, costs, and potential for industry development in New Mexico. The study would evaluate how to facilitate DAC through statutory and regulatory changes, focusing on economic opportunities like job creation and climate action. It does not create new law but asks the institute to report recommendations to the legislature by 2026. This procedural request aims to support DAC development using New Mexico's geologic and resource advantages.

Maddy summaryHB 70, the "Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver Act," aims to create a new Medicaid waiver program in New Mexico for residents with behavioral health disabilities, including serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and brain injuries. The bill requires the Health Care Authority to develop and submit a federal application for this waiver by December 2025, using $1.1 million in state funds to hire staff and retain consultants. It mandates the authority to coordinate services through individualized plans, establish advisory councils, and align reimbursement systems with existing home- and community-based waiver programs. The bill does not change current Medicaid coverage but seeks to expand access to community-based behavioral health services. Note: This bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and did not advance to law.

Maddy summaryHJR 20 proposes a constitutional amendment in New Mexico to create a $5,000 property tax exemption for eligible first responders. It would apply specifically to certified police officers, deputy sheriffs, and active firefighters who are members of the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) and have earned at least 95% of their final average salary in pension benefits. The exemption requires claimants to prove their eligibility and ownership of the property. This proposal must be approved by voters before taking effect, as it amends the state constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 343 requires hospitals and birthing centers to create written "Plans of Safe Care" for newborns affected by prenatal substance exposure (e.g., drugs or alcohol in utero). These plans must be shared with the child’s doctor, a care coordinator (if insured), and the parent/guardian at discharge, outlining needed services like substance use treatment, mental health support, or early intervention. The bill updates reporting rules to ensure hospitals share data about these cases with the Children, Youth and Families Department without triggering child abuse investigations. It directly affects hospitals, newborns with prenatal exposure, and their families by coordinating healthcare and social services post-discharge.

Maddy summaryHB 204 allows child victims/witnesses (under 18) to refuse pretrial statements or interviews in criminal cases, with no compulsion permitted. Adult victims gain the right to decline such interviews, though parties may seek court-approved written questions if needed for trial preparation - courts must deny irrelevant or duplicative questions. The bill requires defendants to contact victims only through prosecutors, who must inform victims of their refusal rights and protect their privacy. It also mandates victim presence of advocates during interviews and prohibits defendants from commenting on refusal during trial. The bill was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and has not become law.

Maddy summaryThe bill text for HB 600 is not provided in the context, so a substantive summary cannot be generated. The title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") indicates a broad policy category, but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected groups are described. Committee actions show the bill was referred to multiple committees but postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, without further details. Without the actual bill language, no concrete policy changes can be identified or summarized.

Maddy summaryHB 344 (New Mexico, 2025) provides tax deductions for healthcare providers on specific revenue streams. It allows deductions for sales of medical equipment/supplies/drugs, certain non-Medicaid patient payments (including copayments and services not tied to insurance contracts), and removes an expiration date for existing deductions. The bill also requires Medicaid providers to be reimbursed for taxes paid on their Medicaid reimbursements. These changes apply to licensed healthcare practitioners (like doctors, nurses, and therapists) who provide services within their scope of practice, as defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 372 changes New Mexico's telecommunications relay service surcharge from a small percentage of bills to a flat $0.51 fee per bill. It directly affects customers paying for intrastate phone services, including mobile plans used primarily in New Mexico, local landlines, and interconnected VoIP services. The bill replaces the previous percentage-based charge with a fixed amount, collected by providers and remitted monthly to the state. All surcharge revenue will fund the Telecommunications Access Fund, which supports relay services for people with disabilities.