Rep. Rebecca Dow

Maddy summaryHB 562 appropriates $3 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2026 to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates specifically for independent rural health care providers. This funding directly benefits rural clinics and healthcare professionals serving underserved communities by improving their payment rates under Medicaid. The bill requires all allocated funds to be spent by the end of fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. It does not change Medicaid eligibility or provider qualifications, focusing solely on increasing reimbursement amounts through dedicated funding.

Maddy summaryHB 173 requires New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to investigate when parents, guardians, or caregivers fail to follow a hospital discharge "plan of care" for a child. It mandates CYFD to conduct a family assessment to evaluate risks like imminent danger, abuse, or neglect, and offer services (counseling, training) to address underlying issues. If families decline these services, CYFD must proceed with an investigation. The bill directly affects families of children discharged from hospitals with a plan of care and CYFD staff responsible for child safety. It changes existing law to make CYFD’s assessment and investigation steps mandatory upon noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to permit state funding for home or private school education. It would remove constitutional barriers (currently in Article 4, Section 31) that prohibit state funds from going to non-state-controlled educational institutions. If approved, it would enable future legislation to create a program providing state funds directly to parents or guardians for school-age children's education in home or private settings. This is a constitutional amendment proposal, not an operational bill.

Maddy summaryHB 168 requires New Mexico's Construction Industries Commission and Division to conduct cost studies for proposed rules or trade bureau recommendations that may impact commercial or residential construction costs. These studies must estimate the financial effect on construction projects and be submitted with proposals before approval. The bill mandates that such studies be made public for review under the State Rules Act, effective July 1, 2025. The bill was referred to multiple committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not advanced.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 33 (HM 33), introduced by Representatives Terrazas, Ramos, Brantley, Jones, and Dow, requests the New Mexico Higher Education Department to study spending practices at all public higher education institutions - including community colleges, universities, tribal colleges, and specialty schools. The study would examine all taxpayer-funded expenditures, procurement policies, and travel policies, including those exempt from standard state procurement and travel codes. This procedural memorial, which was referred to the House Education Committee but later postponed indefinitely, does not create new laws but asks for a review of existing spending mechanisms. It directly affects all 32 public higher education institutions in New Mexico that use state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 185, if passed, would require New Mexico public schools and athletic clubs to designate sports teams, competitions, or events as exclusively for males, females, or co-ed. It prohibits biological males from competing on teams designated for females (using birth certificate sex as eligibility proof), while allowing males only as non-roster practice players. The bill directly affects female athletes, schools, and athletic organizations by mandating separate competition opportunities based on biological sex. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 305 requires New Mexico state agencies to include specific terms in public service contracts starting July 1, 2025. It mandates that contracts provide reimbursement to contractors and subcontractors for wage increases tied to state minimum wage hikes or mandated statutory benefit changes. Workers paid the state minimum wage under these contracts must receive wage increases concurrent with state minimum wage adjustments. The bill directly affects state agencies, contractors, subcontractors, and minimum-wage workers in service-based public contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 127 would allocate $1 million from New Mexico’s general fund to the Department of Public Safety for purchasing license plate readers during fiscal year 2026. This funding directly affects the Department of Public Safety, enabling it to acquire technology that automatically reads license plates, typically used for traffic enforcement or law enforcement purposes. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. The measure was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.

Maddy summaryHB 399 would allocate $19.7 million from the state general fund to the Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2026 to increase Medicaid payment rates for nursing homes in New Mexico. This funding directly affects nursing homes that serve Medicaid patients by raising the reimbursement rates they receive for care. The bill specifies that any unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. As of June 3, 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely by the legislature and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHB 550 requires state and local agencies to publicly disclose details of sole source (awarded without competitive bidding) and emergency procurement contracts. It mandates that agencies post specific contract information - including contractor name, amount, services provided, procurement type, and justification - on the Sunshine Portal website or their public site within three business days of award. This information must also be emailed to the legislative finance committee, legislators, and individuals who requested it in writing. The bill aims to increase transparency by making these procurement records accessible to the public and lawmakers for a minimum of three years.