Rep. Cristina Parajón

Maddy summaryHB 295 exempts specific renewable energy infrastructure owned or leased by the New Mexico Renewable Energy Authority (RETA) from property taxes. It applies to electric transmission lines, interconnected storage facilities, and related infrastructure acquired by RETA under its enabling law. This exemption directly affects RETA (as the property owner) and nonexempt entities leasing these facilities for renewable energy projects. The policy change takes effect for property taxes in 2026 and later, removing a tax burden on qualifying renewable energy infrastructure. The bill does not alter general property tax rules for other properties or entities.

Maddy summaryHB 296 amends New Mexico's Public Accountancy Act to update licensing rules for accountants. It requires out-of-state practitioners seeking to practice in New Mexico to meet licensure standards that are comparable to or stricter than New Mexico's own requirements for education, exams, and experience. The bill clarifies that "comparable licensure" means meeting or exceeding New Mexico's specific benchmarks, ensuring consistency for professionals moving to the state. This directly affects accountants licensed in other states who wish to work in New Mexico, requiring them to demonstrate equivalent qualifications.

Maddy summarySB 16 allows New Mexico voters who have not registered with a major political party (or declined to choose one) to participate in primary elections. These voters can now select a major party's ballot on election day without changing their voter registration, simply by requesting it at the polls or on mail-in ballot applications. The bill amends election laws to ensure such voters are provided the option to affiliate with a major party for primary voting purposes, directly affecting those who previously could not vote in partisan primaries. This change applies to both in-person voting and mailed ballot requests for primary elections.