Rep. Jenifer Jones

Maddy summaryHB 286 establishes a higher weight allowance for heavy-duty electric vehicles (such as delivery trucks and buses) under New Mexico's vehicle weight regulations. It amends Section 66-7-410 to allow these vehicles to exceed standard gross weight limits, accommodating their heavier battery systems. This change directly affects operators of heavy-duty electric commercial vehicles by permitting greater payload capacity on New Mexico roads. The bill modifies existing weight tables to create specific weight allowances for electric vehicles meeting the defined criteria, without changing the core definitions of electric vehicles. This policy adjustment aims to support the practical use of electric fleets while maintaining highway safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 224 sets a $750,000 maximum insurance payout for properties damaged by fire under New Mexico's Fair Plan program. It applies to properties in areas served by fire departments rated 1-10 based on national insurance service evaluations. The rating considers factors like staffing, equipment, emergency communications, water supply, and community risk programs. This policy change directly affects homeowners in communities using the state's Fair Plan insurance for fire coverage.

Maddy summarySB 227 creates a public registry for adults convicted of cruelty to animals or extreme cruelty to animals in New Mexico. It requires these individuals to register with their county sheriff, providing personal details like name, address, Social Security number, and a photo. The Department of Public Safety will maintain a central online registry displaying the person's name, aliases, conviction details, and photo for public access. This registry must be updated if the person moves to a new county within the state.

Maddy summaryHB 317 establishes a Special Permit Review Board within New Mexico's Department of Transportation to review applications from trucking companies that previously lost eligibility for special permits to operate oversized or overweight vehicles. It creates a new misdemeanor offense for operating such vehicles outside the time specified in their permit (e.g., $1,000 fine for a first violation, $2,000 for a second), with a third violation triggering automatic ineligibility unless the operator applies to the new board. The board, composed of transportation officials and a trucking association representative, will determine continued eligibility for repeat offenders. This bill directly affects commercial trucking companies hauling oversized or overweight loads who violate permit time limits.

Maddy summaryHB 275 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to issue revenue bonds totaling up to $5.7 million to fund cancer center improvements at the Gila Regional Medical Center in Grant County and Nor-Lea General Hospital in Lea County. The bonds will finance specific projects including facility upgrades, equipment purchases (like PET scanners), electronic health records systems, and chemotherapy clean rooms. Local officials from Grant County and the Nor-Lea hospital district must certify the need for funding before bonds can be issued, with proceeds directed to the medical centers for these designated purposes. The bill focuses on direct infrastructure and equipment investments for cancer treatment services in two rural New Mexico counties.

Maddy summaryHB 299 appropriates $350 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Transportation for the second phase of expanding U.S. Highway 180. The funding will cover rights-of-way acquisition, planning, design, and construction to widen the highway from two to four lanes between Bayard and Deming during fiscal years 2026-2029, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2029. This bill directly affects drivers traveling between Bayard and Deming, as well as the state transportation agency responsible for implementing the project. The project is specifically identified as infrastructure project 1101841.

Maddy summaryHB 33, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, would allow licensed psychologists in New Mexico to provide telepsychology services across state lines and offer up to 30 days of in-person practice annually in another participating state without needing a separate license. It establishes mutual recognition of licenses between states that adopt the compact, enabling psychologists to serve clients in other states while ensuring public safety through shared disciplinary records. The compact directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to expand practice across state lines and clients in states with limited local mental health providers. Key mechanisms include standardized telepsychology authorization, temporary in-person practice limits, and a coordinated system for sharing license and disciplinary information among participating states.

Maddy summaryHB 45, the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact, would allow physician assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It creates a shared data system for states to track license status and disciplinary actions, and requires that physician assistants follow the laws of the state where the patient is located during care. The bill directly affects physician assistants, particularly military families who can more easily practice across state lines with one license, and state licensing boards that must adopt the compact's standards. If enacted, it would streamline licensure for medical professionals while maintaining patient safety through mutual recognition of licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 32 creates the Counseling Licensure Compact, allowing licensed professional counselors in participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed counselors and their clients in member states, enabling them to provide in-person or telehealth counseling services where the client is located. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, sharing of disciplinary records between states, and requiring counselors to follow the practice laws of the state where the client is located. The compact also specifically supports military spouses relocating with active-duty service members. This bill does not change existing state licensure requirements but streamlines interstate practice for qualified counselors.

Maddy summaryHB 143 expands tax credits for healthcare providers working in New Mexico's rural underserved areas. It increases the rural health care practitioner tax credit to $15,000 annually for physicians/dentists/optometrists (requiring 1,584+ hours of service) and $9,000 for other providers like nurses, pharmacists, and therapists. The bill also creates a new Medical Residency Loan Repayment Act to award loan repayment assistance to qualifying medical residents and fellows. These provisions directly target healthcare professionals in rural communities to improve provider recruitment and retention.