Rep. Cristina Parajón

Maddy summaryHB 505 requires New Mexico retail pharmacies to maintain sufficient buprenorphine stock to treat opioid use disorder, calculated based on their average 30-day dispensing rate plus three additional prescriptions (including both buprenorphine-only and combination products). Wholesale drug distributors must report monthly to the state board any denials or delays in filling buprenorphine orders from pharmacies, including reasons for such actions. The health department will analyze this data to publish biannual reports on access disparities and impacts on treatment outcomes. Violations can result in fines up to $2,500 for pharmacies (third violation) and $10,000 for distributors (second violation).

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 Health care professionals denied or having exemptions rescinded can request an independent review by a licensed physician within 30 days, with insurers covering review costs.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 summaryHB 476, the "Price Fixing Prohibition, Consumer Transparency and Tax Fairness Act," prohibits major payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) and large credit card issuers (with over $85 billion in assets) from colluding to set interchange fees - the fees merchants pay for processing card transactions. It bans charging these fees on taxes and gratuities, requires clear disclosure of interchange fees on consumer statements, and prohibits networks from penalizing merchants for how they price goods. The bill directly affects large financial networks, merchants (especially restaurants and retailers), and consumers by increasing transparency and preventing unfair fee structures. It creates penalties for violations but does not apply to smaller card networks or issuers.

Maddy summaryHB 186 would create a new "Medicaid Forward Plan" to provide health coverage for New Mexicans under age 65 who earn too much for standard Medicaid (over 133% of the federal poverty level) but still cannot afford private insurance. The plan would use income-based premiums and cost-sharing (with discounts for households below 400% of the poverty level) and require collaboration between the Health Care Authority and the Insurance Office to enroll people through the state health insurance exchange. The bill mandates the state to develop this plan by January 2028, with $2 million allocated for planning staff and consulting in 2026-2027. It specifically requires input from tribal nations and aims to maximize federal funding to keep coverage affordable.

Maddy summaryThis New Mexico bill amends zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) on residential lots and permits multifamily housing (such as duplexes) in commercial areas near transit stops. It requires local governments to permit at least one ADU per residential lot (up to 1,000 sq ft, with specific setbacks), prohibits owner-occupancy rules or extra fees for ADUs, and allows multifamily housing within a quarter-mile of transit hubs or in commercial zones. Homeowners, developers, and local governments are directly affected as they must adjust to these new zoning standards. The law aims to increase housing options by expanding permitted development types without requiring new zoning changes.

Maddy summaryHB 417 redirects liquor excise tax revenue to address alcohol-related harms. It replaces the previous "DWI grant" program with a "local alcohol harms alleviation fund," distributing 94% of liquor excise tax revenue to this fund for community services. A new "tribal alcohol harms alleviation fund" receives all revenue from a proposed liquor excise surtax on retailers, specifically targeting tribal communities. The bill also excludes liquor taxes from "gross receipts" definitions in other tax laws and requires periodic legislative reviews of tax rates and distributions. These changes aim to reallocate existing tax revenue toward prevention and treatment programs rather than previous uses like drug courts or municipal grants.

Maddy summaryHB 442, titled "Mobile Home Rent Stabilization," would limit rent increases for residents in New Mexico mobile home parks. Starting July 1, 2025, landlords could raise rents only once per year, with a maximum 3% increase for the first year (2025-2026) and 5% annually thereafter. The bill also revises penalties for landlords violating the Mobile Home Park Act, making them liable for twice the monthly rent per violation instead of a flat $500 penalty. This bill was amended and postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 7 establishes the Children's Future Fund to support New Mexico children born on or after January 1, 2025, with funds intended for education, housing, entrepreneurship, and retirement. The bill creates a nonreverting state trust fund (initially appropriated $5 million for task force operations), exempts distributions from state income tax, and explicitly states benefits are not guaranteed or guaranteed property rights. A task force (appointed by July 2025) will develop implementation details like eligibility, application processes, and investment strategies before benefits are distributed. The fund's administration and disbursement rules will be finalized by the task force, with its report due December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 526 would allow 16- and 17-year-old New Mexico residents to register to vote in local, municipal, and special local elections. Once registered, they would become eligible to vote in these elections upon turning 16, rather than waiting until age 18. The bill specifically applies to local elections (not statewide or federal contests) and requires registration through standard channels like the motor vehicle department or online portal. It takes effect January 1, 2026, but is currently postponed indefinitely after committee approval.