Rep. Kathleen Cates

Maddy summaryHB 278 requires New Mexico's Medicaid program to reimburse independent reference laboratories for toxicology services (such as drug and alcohol testing) at the same rate as standard drug testing services under Medicaid's fee-for-service schedule. It mandates that these services be medically necessary and follow evidence-based protocols, including weekly testing for those starting substance use treatment and monthly testing for stable recovery, unless clinical documentation indicates otherwise. The bill defines "independent reference laboratories" as those not affiliated with hospitals, insurers, or physician groups, and appropriates $100,000 for administration in fiscal year 2027. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Accessibility Act requires all New Mexico state agencies to make their websites, mobile applications, and physical facilities compliant with accessibility standards by April 1, 2027. It mandates adherence to digital standards (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA) and physical standards (based on the federal Americans with Disabilities Act) to ensure services are accessible to people with disabilities. The bill creates an Office of Accessibility within the governor’s commission on disability to oversee compliance, provide technical assistance, and develop reporting mechanisms. State agencies must post accessibility statements on their websites and submit biennial reports detailing progress, barriers, and corrective actions to the governor and legislative committees.

Maddy summarySB 45 requires New Mexico's public colleges and universities to establish clear policies for managing library resources, including how to handle removal requests. The bill prohibits libraries from removing books, digital materials, or other resources based on the content's author, topic, or audience (e.g., race, gender, or political views), and mandates that only students may request removals. Libraries must follow a uniform process involving written decisions explaining the reasoning, review the resource as a whole, and wait for final approval before removal - preventing snap decisions. The policy also protects library staff from retaliation for refusing to remove materials before a final decision or acting in good faith under the rules. Institutions must adopt these policies by September 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 39 expands New Mexico's ticket scalping law to cover events presented by the state, local governments, or 501(c)(3) nonprofits - beyond just college athletics. It makes it illegal to sell tickets above the original price charged at the venue or printed on the ticket, with exceptions for permitted service fees. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $500 or up to one year in jail per ticket sold. This directly affects ticket sellers who markup prices for these specific events, not consumers or event organizers.

Maddy summaryHB 46 creates a new criminal offense called "digital sabotage of a business" under New Mexico's Computer Crimes Act. It prohibits unauthorized interference with a business's digital resources - including redirecting customers, damaging operations, or spreading false information to harm reputation - with penalties based on the financial damage caused. Penalties range from a petty misdemeanor for damage under $250 to a second-degree felony for damage over $20,000, including enhanced penalties for repeat offenses. The law directly affects businesses (defined broadly as corporations, partnerships, or individuals) and anyone committing such acts against them.

Maddy summarySB 65 requires New Mexico school districts (including charter schools) to create written policies for managing public school libraries, ensuring fair access to books and materials. It prohibits schools from removing library resources based on protected characteristics like race, gender, or sexual orientation, and mandates a strict process for any removal requests - including requiring written decisions, limiting removals to once every two years, and reviewing entire resources, not just parts. School librarians and staff are protected from retaliation for following these policies or refusing to remove materials before a formal decision is made. This bill directly affects school districts, library staff, and students/parents who may request changes to library collections.

Maddy summaryHB 37 modifies New Mexico's property tax law to allow agricultural land temporarily resting due to a special water district's man-made infrastructure failure (reducing water delivery to 70% or less of prior year levels) to maintain its agricultural tax valuation. This directly affects landowners in areas served by special water districts (like acequias or irrigation districts) whose water supply is disrupted by such failures. The bill requires the water district to certify the water shortage to the county assessor, enabling landowners to retain agricultural tax status without needing to actively farm during the disruption. It updates existing tax rules to include this specific scenario as a qualifying reason for "agricultural use" under property tax valuation.

Maddy summaryHB 26 prohibits public libraries in New Mexico (operated by state, county, or municipality) from removing or banning books based on content disagreement or protected characteristics like race, religion, or sexual orientation. It requires libraries to create written procedures for challenging materials deemed obscene or unlawful, while banning retaliation against staff who refuse to remove books due to policy compliance. The law also blocks funding cuts or disciplinary action against libraries or staff for adhering to these rules, and libraries violating the ban lose eligibility for state funding. Enforcement falls to the Library Division of the Cultural Affairs Department, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 136 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to create a centralized credentialing system for Medicaid managed care providers, so providers submit one application to the Authority instead of multiple applications to different Medicaid plans. Medicaid managed care contractors must review applications within 30 days (extendable by 15 days for specific cases) and load approved provider information into their payment systems within that timeframe. The bill also limits re-credentialing to once every three years after initial approval. This directly affects Medicaid managed care providers and the contractors that manage Medicaid plans.

Maddy summaryHB 25 prohibits adults who received a juvenile disposition for a firearm-related offense (that would be a felony if committed by an adult) from possessing firearms or destructive devices. It treats such juvenile dispositions as criminal convictions for the purpose of firearm background checks, requiring law enforcement to access these juvenile records during background screenings. The bill directly affects adults with these specific juvenile court records, preventing them from legally obtaining or possessing firearms. Key mechanisms include amending firearm possession laws to include this category of individuals and mandating access to juvenile delinquency records during background checks. The law does not change juvenile sentencing but alters how past firearm-related juvenile cases impact adult firearm rights.