Rep. Luis Terrazas

Maddy summaryHB 136 amends New Mexico's child abuse statute to explicitly include knowingly exposing a child to fentanyl use as "prima facie evidence" of child abuse. This change directly affects parents, guardians, or caregivers who allow children to be present during fentanyl use. The bill adds a specific provision (Section J) stating that such exposure automatically meets the legal standard for proving abuse, making it easier for authorities to pursue cases. It does not create new crimes but strengthens existing legal evidence for prosecuting abuse involving fentanyl. The bill is pending with a postponed committee hearing and would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 561 requires New Mexico agricultural employers providing housing to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers to comply with existing U.S. Department of Labor housing standards, rather than creating new state rules. It directly affects farms and agricultural businesses in New Mexico that house seasonal workers. The bill adopts federal standards for housing conditions, including requirements for sanitation, safety, and space. The bill was referred to committees in February 2025 but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.

Maddy summarySB 51 would appropriate $3 million from the state general fund to improve communication infrastructure, specifically cellular and radio towers, in Dona Ana, Hidalgo, and Luna counties. The funds would be managed by the Department of Finance and Administration's Local Government Division for use in fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the state treasury. The bill was referred to committees, passed with amendments, but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, meaning it did not advance to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 573 prohibits New Mexico's Secretary of State or county clerks from sending voter registration eligibility notifications to non-U.S. citizens. It directly affects non-citizen residents who previously received such notices about potential voting registration. The bill amends the Election Code to ban these notifications for individuals or groups containing non-citizens, effective July 1, 2025. This is a procedural change affecting notification practices, not voting eligibility or registration rights.

Maddy summaryHB 234 requires healthcare providers to provide immediate, medically appropriate care to any infant born alive during childbirth or abortion procedures, regardless of gestational age. It defines "born alive" as an infant showing signs of life (breathing, heartbeat, etc.) and mandates reporting of care failures to law enforcement. The bill creates criminal penalties for intentionally harming or killing such infants and allows civil lawsuits for violations, including triple damages. It also establishes a task force to monitor compliance and requires monthly inspections of abortion facilities. This law directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, and abortion clinics in New Mexico.

Maddy summarySB 25 increases penalties for selling or trafficking large quantities of fentanyl in New Mexico. It specifically enhances the basic prison sentence by three years when a court finds that one kilogram or more of fentanyl was sold or trafficked under existing drug laws. This change directly affects individuals convicted of large-scale fentanyl distribution, targeting the most severe cases. The bill modifies sentencing guidelines without altering the underlying criminal statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 376 creates a Border Security Division within New Mexico's Department of Public Safety (DPS) to prevent illegal entry of people, contraband, and firearms, enforce immigration laws, operate checkpoints, and establish satellite offices in Santa Teresa and Columbus. It also grants the governor authority to develop interstate agreements with other states for sharing border security intelligence and resources like physical barriers or surveillance systems. Additionally, the bill increases penalties for drug trafficking that causes death, requiring a minimum 12-year prison term for first offenses resulting in death, and raises fines for related violations. These provisions directly affect border communities, DPS operations, and individuals convicted of severe drug trafficking offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 480 creates a special suicide prevention license plate available to New Mexico vehicle owners starting January 1, 2026. Owners pay a $35 initial fee (plus a $30 annual renewal) to obtain the plate, with $12 of the initial fee covering plate production costs and the rest funding suicide prevention programs through the state's behavioral health division. The plate issuance will automatically stop after 2031 if annual sales fall below 50% of the average sales from 2026-2031. This directly affects vehicle owners who choose to purchase the plate and funds state suicide prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 177 creates a New Mexico income tax credit for parents homeschooling children who meet specific age and educational criteria. It allows eligible parents to claim a credit equal to their annual spending on approved curriculum materials (like textbooks and workbooks), up to $2,500 per child, after certification by the public education department. The credit is refundable if it exceeds the taxpayer’s liability, and must be claimed within three years of certification. This bill directly affects homeschooling families in New Mexico who qualify under the Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 315 allocates $250,000 from the general fund to New Mexico State University's Board of Regents to create a statewide archaeology field school education program. The program will be developed collaboratively by the Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Cultural Affairs Department, targeting students and educators through hands-on archaeological training. The funding is restricted to fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. This is a program-specific appropriation, not a policy change affecting broader legislation.