Rep. Alan Martinez

Maddy summaryHB 55 would allow first responder retirees (including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and their unmarried surviving spouses to deduct 50% of their retirement pay earned from first responder service from their state income tax. To claim this deduction, taxpayers must submit proof of eligibility to the New Mexico tax department and report the deduction as required. The policy applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and the deduction would be counted in the state’s tax expenditure budget. This change directly affects eligible retirees by reducing their taxable income related to first responder service.

Maddy summaryHB 245 prohibits New Mexico public schools from denying enrollment to school-age students based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, or residential address. It requires school boards to post grade-level vacancy counts every 12 weeks and enroll applicants on a first-come, first-served basis when space is available. The bill also limits school boards' ability to create enrollment preferences beyond specific priorities and mandates annual public reporting of enrollment data to the state education department. This directly affects all public school districts and students seeking enrollment across New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHB 242 provides a temporary 1.68% annual cost-of-living pay increase for eligible New Mexico public retirees aged 65+ who have retired for at least two years. It applies to normal retirees, disability retirees, and survivors meeting specific criteria, with an additional 2.5% increase for retirees with pensions under $25,000 annually. The state appropriates $10 million from the general fund for fiscal years 2027-2028 to fund these adjustments, starting July 1, 2026. The bill ensures retirees receive these increases without compounding and allows them to opt out of the adjustment.

Maddy summaryHB 244, the Hospital Price Transparency Act, requires all New Mexico hospitals to publicly display standard pricing for services on their websites in machine-readable format and either a list of 300+ shoppable services or a price estimator tool. This directly affects hospitals (both public and private) and patients who may face debt collection for services provided during non-compliance periods. Hospitals violating the law cannot pursue collection actions for affected services, and patients can use the hospital’s non-compliance as an affirmative defense in debt collection cases. The Health Care Authority will enforce compliance through website audits, complaint processes, and requiring corrective action plans for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 221 removes the $30,000 annual cap on tax exemptions for military retirement pay in New Mexico, making all such income tax-exempt for eligible individuals. It directly affects New Mexico military retirees and their surviving spouses who qualify for lifetime retirement benefits under federal law. The bill amends state tax code to eliminate the previous limitation, meaning retirees no longer face a taxable threshold on their military pay. This change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and does not create new benefits but modifies existing tax treatment.

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial (HM 28) is a non-binding request to New Mexico's governor, asking them to formally opt the state into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. It does not create new state law but urges the governor to submit an "advance election" to the IRS, allowing New Mexico residents to claim federal tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations supporting K-12 students. The program, enacted by federal law, enables dollar-for-dollar tax credits for charitable contributions to scholarship-granting groups, with no cost to New Mexico’s state budget. The memorial emphasizes that delaying this decision could redirect private donations to other states, potentially reducing educational funding opportunities for New Mexico families.

Maddy summaryHB 29 appropriates $8 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Military Base Impact Fund for fiscal year 2027 and future years. This funding directly supports military bases in New Mexico by providing dedicated financial resources to address impacts from military operations. The bill ensures any unspent funds at year-end remain in the fund rather than reverting to the general budget. It establishes a permanent funding stream to help communities near military installations manage related costs.

Maddy summaryHB 166 limits local government restrictions on battery-charged fences with alarm systems outside areas zoned exclusively for residential use. It prohibits counties and municipalities from banning these fences, imposing extra installation requirements beyond IEC standards, or requiring additional permits beyond standard alarm permits. The bill sets specific safety rules: fences must use ≤12V batteries, produce ≤IEC-standard electrical charge, be enclosed by a ≥5-foot non-electric fence, reach ≥10 feet height, and display "WARNING: ELECTRIC FENCE" signs every 30 feet. This directly affects property owners in commercial or mixed-use zones seeking to install such security fencing without local regulatory barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 177 allocates $150,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Veterans' Services Department to support veterans who need temporary separation from their service or companion animals for housing, medical care, or homelessness services. The bill funds contracted animal boarding, veterinary care, kennel facilities at veteran housing sites, and pet food to prevent veterans from losing access to essential services due to animal separation. This funding is available for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. The policy directly affects veterans requiring shelter, housing, or medical care that would otherwise require parting with their service animals.

Maddy summaryHB 20 requires New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Division to add a Native American designation to driver's licenses and identification cards when requested by applicants who provide tribal documentation. It directly affects Native American applicants in New Mexico who can verify tribal membership through an enhanced tribal card, tribal ID, certificate of Indian blood, or tribal/BIA affidavit. The bill mandates that the designation must not specify a particular tribe or pueblo, and cannot include personal information beyond what is needed to confirm tribal membership. This policy change allows tribal members to have their cultural identity recognized on official state IDs without revealing specific tribal affiliations.