Rep. Cristina Parajón

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Homes for New Mexico program, providing interest-free loans up to $50,000 (or $75,000 in Los Alamos, Santa Fe, or Taos counties) to first-time homebuyers with incomes below 120% of area median income for a family of four. Eligible buyers must purchase starter homes (max 1,800 sq ft on lots under 5,000 sq ft) as their primary residence and cannot have owned a home previously. The program is funded by a $10 million appropriation from the general fund, with repayments reinvested to support future loans. It directly affects first-time homebuyers meeting income and residency criteria in New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHB 110 requires New Mexico counties and municipalities with populations over 30,000 (classified as "Class A") to publish quarterly reports on housing development data starting July 1, 2026. The reports must include total residential permit applications, approvals/denials, processing times (from submission to completion and approval/denial), and permit issuance details for both single-family and multifamily projects. These reports must be posted on the local government website and submitted to the state Economic Development Department and Legislative Finance Committee. The bill aims to standardize housing data collection for transparency and analysis, directly affecting large local jurisdictions managing housing projects.

Maddy summarySB 151 adjusts New Mexico's corporate tax calculation to better align with federal rules for certain income types. It modifies the state's definition of "base income" by adding back specific federal deductions (like interest from state bonds) and subtracting amounts for bonus depreciation and interest expenses that the federal government allows. This bill directly affects corporations operating in New Mexico that file federal tax returns, particularly those with income from controlled foreign corporations. The key change ensures New Mexico's tax calculation accounts for federal adjustments related to foreign income and depreciation, while applying standard apportionment rules to attributed income.

Maddy summarySB 73 requires all approved driver education courses in New Mexico schools to include at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and wheelchair users. This directly affects driver education schools, instructors, and students in public and private secondary schools across the state. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this specific training component as part of minimum course standards. It defines "vulnerable road users" broadly to include anyone not protected by a vehicle's structure, like those on bikes, scooters, or walking. The policy change aims to improve road safety awareness through standardized curriculum updates.

Maddy summaryHB 124 creates a New Americans Division within New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department to support immigrants and refugees in the state's workforce. The division will help with job training, streamline license recognition for internationally trained professionals, and connect businesses with immigrant talent. It must report annually on its activities and refugee resettlement impacts, with an initial report due December 2026. This bill directly affects non-citizen residents and refugee resettlement programs in New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHJR 5 proposes a constitutional amendment to tie New Mexico state legislators' annual compensation to the state's median household income. Under this change, legislative pay would automatically increase if the median income rises and decrease if it falls, with adjustments made annually based on economic data. The amendment would take effect for legislators serving in the 59th Legislature (starting in 2028) and requires voter approval in the 2028 general election. This directly affects all state legislators by linking their salary to broader economic conditions rather than fixed rates.

Maddy summaryHB 200 creates the "New Homes for New Mexico Program" to provide interest-free loans for first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built starter homes from approved developers. The program targets buyers earning below 120% of the area median income for a family of four, requiring the home to be their primary residence and limiting starter homes to 1,800 square feet on lots under 5,000 square feet. Loans up to $50,000 (or $75,000 in high-cost counties like Los Alamos, Santa Fe, or Taos) must be repaid if the home is sold or stops being the primary residence. The program is funded by a $25 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 38 repeals a delayed repeal of fees charged to businesses registering pet food products in New Mexico. The bill removes a provision that would have postponed ending these fees until 2025, instead requiring the fees to end immediately. This directly affects pet food manufacturers and distributors that pay these registration fees, as it eliminates the remaining delay in ending the requirement. The bill does not change the fee amount or create new fees - it only accelerates the timeline for their removal.

Maddy summarySB 58 extends the property tax exemption period for project property in metropolitan redevelopment areas from seven to fourteen years for properties acquired by local governments on or after January 1, 1986. During this extended period, lessees and owners of substantial beneficial interests must pay annual amounts equal to the property taxes that would have been due if the property were not exempt, based on the valuation from the year before acquisition. The county treasurer collects these payments and distributes them as if they were regular property taxes. This change applies only to properties acquired after 1986, leaving existing rules for properties acquired before that date unchanged.

Maddy summarySB 111 clarifies the definition of "personal information" within New Mexico's Motor Vehicle Code. It explicitly states that vehicle ownership details, accident records, driving violations, and driver status do not qualify as "personal information" under this definition. This amendment creates a clear boundary between personal data (like social security numbers) and vehicle-related records for state agencies. The bill is currently progressing through legislative committees after passing a committee report.