Rep. Susan Herrera

Maddy summaryHB 310 appropriates $1,000,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Cultural Affairs Department for a fiscal year 2027 feasibility study, planning, and implementation of a lowrider museum in Espanola. The bill directly affects the Cultural Affairs Department, which will use the funds to assess the museum's viability and develop plans. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies but allocates specific funding for preliminary research. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 would revert to the general fund. This is a procedural bill focused solely on funding a study, not on museum operations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a fictional legislative bill (HM 29) created for illustrative purposes, as it references events that have not occurred (e.g., a 2026 U.S. invasion of Venezuela under President Trump). The bill is a **non-binding memorial** (not a law) formally condemning a fictional U.S. military action against Venezuela, including the alleged seizure of President Maduro. It does not create new policies or affect any real individuals or entities, as it describes an invented scenario. The document primarily expresses symbolic disapproval and calls for a transition to democratic governance in Venezuela, with no enforceable provisions. No real legislative action on this bill exists, as it is part of a hypothetical example.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the installation of decorative, non-recreational grass (nonfunctional turf) on state properties managed by the General Services Department or Legislative Council Service starting in 2028. It requires all existing nonfunctional turf to be replaced with drought-resistant landscaping (like native plants or efficient irrigation systems) by 2033 and restricts irrigation to recycled water for such areas after that year. Exceptions include cemeteries and tree canopy zones where replacement isn’t feasible. The state allocates $3.5 million to cover implementation costs for these changes.

Maddy summaryHB 51 repeals a delayed repeal of a fee for spay and neuter programs established in 2020. This bill removes the provision that would have postponed the fee's elimination, ensuring the fee is permanently removed without further delay. The fee was likely collected from pet owners during licensing or registration processes. As a result, pet owners in New Mexico will no longer be charged this fee for spay/neuter program services.

Maddy summaryHB 185 authorizes New Mexico's Public Education Secretary to require local school board members to correct failures in performing legally required duties, such as adhering to school laws or regulations. If a board member doesn't fix the issue within 30 days of written notice, the Secretary may suspend them, with the member able to request a hearing under administrative procedures. During suspension, the Secretary (or a designee) can temporarily vote to break budget deadlocks in the school district. The bill directly affects school board members who neglect statutory duties under the Public School Code.

Maddy summaryHB 186 increases tax credits for landowners who donate property for conservation or preservation purposes. For donations made on or after July 1, 2026, it raises the credit to 80% of the land's fair market value (up from 50%), with a new $2 million annual cap (up from $250,000). The credit is refundable (meaning taxpayers receive cash if it exceeds their tax bill) and can be transferred in $10,000 increments to other taxpayers. This directly affects landowners donating conservation easements or similar permanent interests to eligible public or private conservation groups, such as those preserving farmland, historic sites, or natural habitats.

Maddy summaryHB 180 clarifies and expands how New Mexico uses state emergency funds. It renames the "Federal Reimbursement Revolving Fund" to the "Executive Order for Disasters Fund" and allows the governor to spend these funds for non-natural disasters (like civil unrest or state of martial law) or natural disasters, subject to legislative approval. The bill requires state agencies to report annually to legislative committees on how these funds were used for non-natural disaster responses. This affects state agencies managing disaster response and the legislature that controls funding approvals.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 59 requests the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to study fair compensation for foster parents, including a cost-of-living allowance. The study will examine personal expenses foster parents incur while caring for children in state custody and determine appropriate compensation levels. The department must report findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee by November 30, 2026. This memorial does not change current compensation but initiates a formal review process.

Maddy summaryHB 108 allows watershed districts in New Mexico to request soil and water conservation districts to levy property taxes for district operations. Specifically, watershed districts can ask the local soil conservation district board to impose an annual tax (capped at $5 per $1,000 of property value) to fund administration, construction, and maintenance of watershed projects. This bill clarifies the appointment process for watershed district boards, ensuring representation from soil conservation districts that hold minority land within the watershed area. It directly affects watershed districts, soil conservation districts, and property owners within those districts who may be subject to the requested taxes. The key change is creating a formal mechanism for watershed districts to secure dedicated funding through local property tax levies.

Maddy summaryHB 109 changes how New Mexico prioritizes water projects funded through the Water Project Fund. It requires the Finance Authority to use a new scoring system evaluating factors like project urgency (based on regional water plans), availability of matching funds, permit readiness, regional impacts, and improvements to water quality or quantity. Crucially, the bill allows the Authority to fund projects without annual legislative approval until December 31, 2028, after which a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers would be needed to extend this exemption. The bill also specifies fund structure details, including dedicated allocations for water rights adjudications.