Rep. Debbie Sariñana

Maddy summaryHB 35 creates "Children's Health Protection Zones" extending 1 mile (5,280 feet) from school property lines, directly affecting oil and gas operators working near schools, daycare centers, and school-associated facilities. The bill requires operators to map these zones, develop leak response plans, implement alarm protocols, and conduct regular water quality testing. It also mandates suspending operations in these zones if they violate air quality laws, with penalties for non-compliance. The law focuses on operational requirements rather than banning drilling, targeting specific safety and monitoring measures near schools.

Maddy summaryHB 211 increases tax credits for solar energy systems in New Mexico, primarily benefiting homeowners, businesses, and agricultural entities that install qualifying solar photovoltaic systems. It raises the credit rate to 20% (from 10%) for systems with at least 15 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, allowing a maximum $12,000 credit per property annually - double the standard limit. The bill also creates a new corporate income tax credit for businesses installing solar systems, while maintaining an annual $30 million cap on total credits. These changes aim to incentivize larger-scale solar adoption by offering higher financial rewards for systems with storage capabilities.

Maddy summaryHB 423 allocates $30 million for water security planning grants to local governments and regional water entities, $30 million to upgrade state water data systems, and $2 million to enforce Rio Grande water rights along a specific river stretch. It directly affects local water planning groups, the state engineer’s office, and agencies managing New Mexico’s compliance with the Rio Grande Compact. The bill provides funding for fiscal years 2026-2028 (with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2028), focusing on creating regional water plans, improving public water data access, and ensuring water delivery obligations to Elephant Butte Reservoir. These provisions aim to strengthen water management infrastructure and legal compliance without altering existing water rights or introducing new regulations.

Maddy summarySB 217 clarifies the Department of Information Technology's (DOIT) role in approving state agency information technology procurement and projects. The bill requires the DOIT secretary (as chief information officer) to review and approve agency IT requests for proposals, contracts, and amendments - including emergency or sole-source contracts - before final approval by other departments. It also mandates DOIT to develop oversight rules, verify compliance with state IT standards, and monitor agency adherence to IT plans. This bill directly affects all state agencies conducting IT procurement and the DOIT department, centralizing approval authority to improve efficiency and compliance with state IT policies.

Maddy summarySB 242, the "Advancing the Science of Reading Act," requires all new teachers in New Mexico to complete specific training in structured literacy and phonics (including 3 credit hours in phonemic awareness/phonics and 100 hours of supervised field experience) before licensure. It bans "balanced literacy" methods in public schools and mandates the use of "high-quality instructional materials" aligned with the science of reading for all K-12 reading instruction. The bill also creates literacy coordinators at teacher preparation programs to oversee implementation and ensure compliance. If enacted, these changes would directly affect teacher candidates, public school classrooms, and curriculum choices statewide.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to the Veterans' Services Department for fiscal year 2026 to contract services supporting transitional housing for veterans and their families. It directly affects veterans and their families in New Mexico by funding temporary housing support during transitions. The key mechanism is a one-time funding allocation for contracted housing services, with any unspent funds reverting to the state treasury by year-end. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new programs, solely providing dedicated funding for existing transitional housing support.

Maddy summaryHB 110 would establish New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, a multi-state agreement designed to simplify teacher licensure for educators moving between member states. Under the compact, teachers with a full, unrestricted teaching license (an "unencumbered license") from another participating state would typically receive an equivalent license in New Mexico without needing to retake exams or complete additional training. The bill specifically includes provisions to expedite licensure for military spouses relocating due to military orders, aiming to reduce barriers for this group while enabling states to share disciplinary and licensure information.

Maddy summaryHB 60, the Artificial Intelligence Act, requires developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems (those making consequential decisions in areas like employment, housing, healthcare, or lending) to provide notice to consumers, document system details, and disclose risks of algorithmic discrimination. It mandates risk management policies, impact assessments before deployment, and reporting of "risk incidents" where discrimination occurs. The law would enforce these requirements through the New Mexico Department of Justice and allow consumers to sue for injunctive or declaratory relief. Note: The bill was replaced by a committee substitute and postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 32 allows New Mexico public school districts to replace diesel school buses with electric or zero-emission alternatives during their standard 12-year replacement cycle. The bill requires the state to provide funding for these electric buses and charging infrastructure, covering the full cost if districts secure less than half their funding from non-state sources. It also permits school districts to use idle electric buses as mobile energy storage - supplying grid services or reducing school electricity demand during emergencies - through agreements with utilities. The policy directly affects all New Mexico public school districts and utilities managing grid services.

Maddy summaryHB 33 prohibits new oil and gas construction in New Mexico counties where ozone pollution exceeds federal air quality standards. It directly affects counties with high ozone levels, requiring state agencies to block new oil and gas projects starting July 1, 2025. The bill mandates that agencies halt permits for new sources if ozone concentrations exceed the federal standard set under the Clean Air Act. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.