Rep. Rebecca Dow

Maddy summaryHB 371 allows local and county governments in New Mexico to authorize off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) like ATVs to operate on paved streets and highways within their boundaries, subject to specific safety requirements. It mandates that authorized OHVs must have headlights, taillights, brakes, mirrors, mufflers, valid operator licenses, insurance, eye protection, and helmets for minors under 18. Local authorities may also set separate speed limits and operating restrictions for these vehicles. The bill does not require authorization but provides a framework for communities to permit OHV use on public roads while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 511 creates a tax credit for businesses renovating qualifying retail centers in New Mexico, offering a 10% credit on renovation costs (up to $1.5 million per project). It applies to projects renovating at least 50% of a retail center's square footage, including construction, energy efficiency upgrades, and accessibility improvements, provided the center has three or more retail businesses and meets zoning requirements. The credit is capped at $15 million total per year across all claims, with businesses required to apply for certification within one year of project completion. This policy directly supports retail property owners and developers seeking to revitalize commercial spaces through tax incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 446 creates New Mexico's first state-funded paid parental leave program, providing eligible workers with wage replacement to bond with a newborn, adopted child, or foster child. The bill establishes the "Supplemental Paid Parental Leave Fund" (funded through the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund) to pay applicants 60-70% of their wages for up to 12 weeks of leave. It directly affects most New Mexico employees and self-employed individuals (excluding railroad workers and certain others), administered by the Workforce Solutions Department. The program requires workers to apply through the department, with payments covering bonding time within 12 months of the child's arrival, and excludes employers already offering comparable benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 424, the "Pregnancy and Family Care Act," requires health care providers to screen pregnant patients for substance use disorder during initial visits (with consent) and develop voluntary "family care plans" addressing treatment, mental health, parenting, and child development needs. It mandates hospitals and birthing centers to provide postpartum patients with information about family care plans and establishes a new state system for reporting substance-exposed infant births (using anonymized data like zip code and substance type), separate from child abuse reporting. The bill prohibits health care providers from billing patients for substance use treatment covered by insurance and ensures pregnant/postpartum patients receive priority for treatment, including those in correctional facilities. It directly affects pregnant patients with substance use disorders, health care providers, hospitals, and the Department of Health, which must create training materials and advisory councils to implement the law.

Maddy summaryHB 558 prohibits publicly funded schools in New Mexico from using or distributing "sexually explicit material" as defined in the bill. It directly affects public school employees, contractors, and volunteers, who may face termination, license denial, or loss of school access for violations. The bill defines "sexually explicit material" to exclude medically accurate, age-appropriate sexual education content meeting state standards, and requires school districts to enforce prohibitions with $500 fines per violation. Enforcement mechanisms include termination for unlicensed staff, license sanctions for licensed staff, and revoked access for contractors/volunteers. The bill amends existing law to remove school-related exemptions for offenses related to minors.

Maddy summaryHB 400 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to conduct cost studies every three years for each type of health care provider reimbursed by Medicaid (such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors). These studies must analyze actual costs, including competitive wages and inflation, to recommend fair reimbursement rates. The bill also mandates that the Authority include the latest study in its annual budget requests to the legislature. This applies to all Medicaid-reimbursed providers, ensuring rates better reflect current costs without requiring all studies to be done simultaneously each year. The bill does not change Medicaid eligibility or funding levels but aims to improve how reimbursement rates are set.

Maddy summaryHB 441 establishes the "Dentist and Dental Hygienist Interstate Compact" to allow licensed dentists and dental hygienists from New Mexico (a participating state) to practice in other participating states without obtaining full new licenses. It creates a "compact privilege" that requires practitioners to follow the host state's scope of practice rules and share disciplinary records, while letting states maintain their own licensing standards. The bill aims to improve access to dental care, especially for military families needing to relocate, by reducing duplicate licensing hurdles. This compact does not change existing state licensure requirements but enables streamlined practice across participating states.

Maddy summaryThis New Mexico bill amends zoning laws to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs, like backyard cottages) on residential lots and permits multifamily housing (such as duplexes) in commercial areas near transit stops. It requires local governments to permit at least one ADU per residential lot (up to 1,000 sq ft, with specific setbacks), prohibits owner-occupancy rules or extra fees for ADUs, and allows multifamily housing within a quarter-mile of transit hubs or in commercial zones. Homeowners, developers, and local governments are directly affected as they must adjust to these new zoning standards. The law aims to increase housing options by expanding permitted development types without requiring new zoning changes.

Maddy summaryHB 499 provides $2.55 million in state funding from the general fund to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech) to cover operational costs for a new STEM-focused Student Success Center. The center will support students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields at NM Tech during fiscal years 2026 through 2028. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 must be returned to the general fund. This bill directly affects NM Tech students and its Board of Regents, establishing a specific funding mechanism for the center's operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Mexico's rules for off-highway vehicles (like ATVs, snowmobiles, and recreational vehicles) to reflect industry changes and improve registration processes. It clarifies vehicle definitions (e.g., weight limits for recreational vehicles), increases registration fees to $17 per vehicle (with up to $40 in user fees), and allocates funds to the trail safety fund. The changes directly affect off-highway vehicle users who must pay updated fees for registration, renewal, or nonresident permits. Safety requirements remain largely unchanged, including prohibitions against operating recklessly near people or livestock. The bill also establishes a $1 fee per registration for litter control.