Rep. Pamelya Herndon

Maddy summaryHB 257 appropriates $370,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2027. This funding ensures Medicaid providers receive full reimbursement for delivering vagus nerve stimulation treatment to Medicaid recipients. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who offer this specific therapy and the Medicaid recipients who receive it. Unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund. The measure is a targeted funding allocation, not a policy change to Medicaid eligibility or coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 59 requests the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to study fair compensation for foster parents, including a cost-of-living allowance. The study will examine personal expenses foster parents incur while caring for children in state custody and determine appropriate compensation levels. The department must report findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by November 30, 2026. This memorial does not change current compensation but initiates a formal review process.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 17 requests New Mexico's Regulation and Licensing Department to create a task force by July 2026. The task force will study industry practices - including talent management, casting services, and agent activities - and recommend a regulatory framework for New Mexico's film, TV, and performing arts sectors. It will include representatives from unions, film offices, casting organizations, and government departments. The goal is to address gaps in oversight and develop transparency measures for performers, managers, and producers, with a final report due November 2026.

Maddy summarySB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.

Maddy summarySB 152 establishes a new Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program in New Mexico, replacing the previous "Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act." The program directly affects low-income residents who qualify for telecom service assistance, waiving specific fees including the 911 emergency surcharge and telecommunications relay service surcharge. Key provisions include restructuring the existing broadband program, setting budget caps for the state rural universal service fund, and requiring regular reporting on program administration. The bill repeals the outdated Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act to streamline eligibility and funding under the new framework.

Maddy summarySB 132 expands New Mexico's Department of Information Technology (DOIT) funding mechanisms to include software replacement costs alongside hardware. It amends existing law to rename "Equipment Replacement Revolving Funds" as "Equipment and Software Replacement Revolving Funds," requiring DOIT to create separate plans for both hardware and software replacement for its enterprise services. The bill establishes that funds must be replenished through revenue from services (based on cost structures) and cannot expire at year-end, ensuring dedicated capital for replacing both physical equipment and associated software used across state agencies. This change directly affects DOIT's operations and the state's IT infrastructure funding, shifting the focus from purely equipment to encompassing software lifecycle management.

Maddy summaryThis memorial resolution honors the life and legacy of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr., specifically during New Mexico's 2026 "Dream Week" commemorations organized by the state's Martin Luther King, Jr. commission. It formally recognizes Dr. King's civil rights leadership and philosophy of nonviolence, aligning with the state's annual observance theme. The resolution was passed by the New Mexico House of Representatives and directs copies to key officials, including the governor and the Martin Luther King, Jr. commission. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but affirms the state's commitment to commemorating Dr. King's ideals.

Maddy summaryHB 50 creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing licensed social workers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "multistate license" system where a social worker's home state license authorizes practice in all compact states, using a shared data system to track licenses and any restrictions. To join, states must require national exams, meet education standards, and have complaint systems in place. The bill directly affects licensed social workers seeking to work in multiple states and their home state licensing authorities, streamlining practice across state lines while maintaining oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, enabling licensed physicians to more easily practice across participating states. It requires physicians seeking multi-state licensure to maintain a "state of principal license" (their primary practice location) and meet strict eligibility criteria, including no criminal convictions, active licensure, and no pending disciplinary actions. The compact creates a commission to manage applications, verify qualifications, and issue "expedited licenses" without requiring full re-licensure in each state. This primarily affects physicians already licensed in New Mexico who wish to provide care in other participating states, streamlining cross-state medical practice. The bill is pending final approval after passing the House.