Rep. Luis Terrazas

Maddy summaryHB 104 expands New Mexico's Victims of Crime Act to include specific crimes committed against peace officers as qualifying "criminal offenses." It adds provisions (items 22-25) to the definition list, covering aggravated assault, assault with intent, battery, and aggravated battery upon peace officers. This change directly affects peace officers who are victims of these specific assaults, ensuring they qualify for victim services and compensation under the Act. The bill does not change penalties for these crimes but updates eligibility for victim support programs. The bill passed the House but was postponed indefinitely in the Senate on June 3, 2025.

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 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 107 amends New Mexico's Controlled Substances Act to increase penalties for drug trafficking when it causes a death. It specifically adds a 12-year minimum prison term for a first-time trafficking offense resulting in human death, applying to Schedule I/II narcotics, methamphetamine, and related substances. The bill maintains existing felony classifications for other trafficking violations but elevates penalties for death-related cases. It directly affects individuals convicted of distributing controlled substances that lead to fatalities, particularly in cases involving narcotics or methamphetamine. The law does not change penalties for trafficking without death or for other offenses like distribution to minors.

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 summarySB 399 creates a state fund to reimburse New Mexico local governments for specific border-related expenses directly requested by state or federal authorities. The fund covers costs like emergency medical services for border crises, law enforcement responses to unattended deaths, specialized border patrol equipment, humanitarian aid (transportation, housing, healthcare), illegal dumping cleanup, and state/federal drug/human trafficking task forces. Administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, the fund uses state appropriations to pay eligible local governments for these documented expenses. The bill requires the department to establish rules for reimbursement and specifies exactly which costs qualify.

Maddy summaryHB 572 makes it a felony to knowingly solicit a non-U.S. citizen to register to vote or vote in New Mexico. It broadly defines "solicitation" as any verbal, written, or electronic request to register or vote, including digital messages. Soliciting non-citizens violates the law even if the solicitor adds a disclaimer stating the person shouldn’t vote due to citizenship status. Violators face a fourth-degree felony charge, up to one year in prison, and a $5,000 fine per violation. The bill directly affects individuals or groups who actively encourage non-citizens to participate in elections.

Maddy summaryHB 378 would cap non-medical compensation (excluding medical expenses and punitive damages) at $600,000 for most medical malpractice claims in New Mexico, and $750,000 for claims against "independent providers" (like solo practitioners or non-hospital-affiliated clinics), with annual inflation adjustments starting in 2023. It redefines "occurrence" to cover all claims from a single patient's harm, regardless of how many health care providers were involved. The bill also requires payments from the Patient's Compensation Fund to be made as expenses are incurred, rather than in lump sums. These changes would directly affect patients filing malpractice claims and the health care providers, facilities, and insurers they sue.

Maddy summaryHB 367 increases the required live race days for racetracks to maintain their gaming licenses. Racetracks paying $8 million or less in gaming taxes last year must host at least 15 weeks of racing with three live race days per week (minimum 10 races daily). Racetracks paying over $8 million must host 15 weeks with four live race days per week (minimum nine races daily). This bill directly affects licensed racetracks in New Mexico by adjusting their operational requirements for license renewal. The change modifies Section 60-1A-2 of the Horse Racing Act to update these minimums.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Mexico optometrists' scope of practice to include specific minor in-office procedures, such as removing superficial eyelid lesions, treating corneal abrasions, and performing certain laser treatments for eye conditions. It also requires the Board of Optometry to establish certification standards for optometrists using prescription drugs or laser procedures, including developing qualifications and maintaining annual records of certified practitioners. The board gains new duties, such as administering these certifications, keeping detailed records of licensees, and setting requirements for advanced services. This directly affects optometrists (who gain expanded clinical authority), the Board (which gains administrative responsibilities), and patients (who may access more eye care services from optometrists).