Rep. Joy Garratt

Maddy summarySB 115 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans from the Public Project Revolving Fund for infrastructure and public facility projects. It directly affects 29 specific local entities, including cities (like Albuquerque, Carlsbad, and Clovis), school districts (such as Alamogordo and Bloomfield), counties (like Bernalillo), and public improvement districts across New Mexico. The bill streamlines the process by allowing loans of $1 million or less without requiring separate legislative approval, covering projects like roads, water systems, schools, and public recreational facilities. It establishes a funding mechanism but does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summarySB 401 creates a new Education Technology Infrastructure Fund to provide up to $10 million annually in state bonds for public school technology infrastructure. It directly affects New Mexico public schools by funding broadband access and connectivity improvements through the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion. The bill authorizes the Office to certify annual funding needs, with proceeds from supplemental severance tax bonds allocated to the new fund. It transfers existing broadband programs from the Public School Facilities Authority to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion to streamline implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 167 requires New Mexico's Higher Education Department to cover the full cost of high school equivalency credential tests and associated test preparation for eligible residents. It directly affects New Mexico residents who are at least 16 years old, not currently enrolled in high school, have no high school diploma or equivalency certificate, and have passed a practice test indicating readiness. The bill appropriates $2 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to pay these costs, with any unused funds reverting to the general fund. This policy change makes high school equivalency testing free and accessible for qualifying adults seeking to earn their credential.

Maddy summarySB 170 revises definitions and funding rules for New Mexico's Public Project Revolving Fund under the New Mexico Finance Authority Act. It clarifies what qualifies as a "public project" (e.g., infrastructure, utilities, housing) and expands the list of eligible "qualified entities" that can access funding, including cities, schools, tribes, and utilities. The bill updates how money in the revolving fund can be used for loans, grants, and securities to finance public projects, while also revising economic development rate rules for gas and electric utilities. These changes directly affect local governments, public institutions, and utility providers seeking to fund infrastructure projects through state financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Mexico to add the DNA of individuals arrested for a felony but who die before being formally charged to the national CODIS DNA database. If the person died while in prison, their DNA is automatically entered into CODIS. If they died outside prison, prosecutors must seek a court order to add the DNA. The law directly affects only those arrested for felonies who die before facing charges, with specific rules based on whether they were incarcerated at the time of death.

Maddy summaryHB 12 modifies New Mexico's Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order (ERPO) law to streamline safety measures. It allows law enforcement officers to file ERPO petitions using credible information gathered during official duties (not just from reporting parties), and requires respondents to immediately surrender all firearms upon receiving the order - replacing the previous 48-hour window. The bill directly affects individuals subject to ERPOs and law enforcement officers handling these cases. Key provisions include mandating immediate firearm relinquishment, requiring detailed documentation of firearms and circumstances, and ensuring timely receipt copies for respondents and petitioners. These changes aim to expedite safety protocols while maintaining legal safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 8 requires competency evaluation reports for defendants to include a professional's opinion on whether the defendant meets criteria for involuntary commitment or assisted outpatient treatment if found incompetent to stand trial. It creates community-based competency restoration programs for non-dangerous defendants and expands the list of crimes that could trigger commitment proceedings. The bill also mandates courts to advise prosecutors to consider commitment after criminal case dismissal and allows competency reports to be used directly in mental health treatment proceedings. This affects defendants found incompetent, courts, prosecutors, and mental health systems by integrating criminal competency evaluations with mental health treatment pathways.