Rep. Kathleen Cates

Maddy summaryHB 63 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans or grants from the Water Project Fund to 53 specific local entities across New Mexico, including cities, counties, tribes, and water districts. The bill directs funding for concrete water infrastructure projects such as water storage, treatment, recycling, flood prevention, and wastewater systems in communities like Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe. It establishes that these projects must align with terms set by the Water Trust Board and the Finance Authority, using existing state funds without creating new taxes. The legislation directly affects local governments and water providers by enabling specific, funded infrastructure improvements to address water management needs.

Maddy summaryHB 38 requires New Mexico health insurance plans to cover wheelchairs and activity chairs for individuals with permanent mobility-limiting conditions (such as paralysis, limb loss, or neuromuscular disorders) without more restrictive terms than other medical benefits. The bill mandates coverage equivalent to Medicare standards, including all necessary services like fittings, repairs, replacements, and instruction, while prohibiting separate cost-sharing or lifetime limits for these devices. It also ensures insurers must cover out-of-network providers when in-network options are unavailable and reimburse at in-network rates. This applies to all group health plans under the Health Care Purchasing Act.

Maddy summaryHB 7 directs annual transfers from New Mexico's Workforce Development and Apprenticeship Trust Fund to two specific programs: $2.5 million to the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund and $2.5 million to the Workforce Solutions Department for fiscal year 2026, with amounts reducing to $1.5 million each annually after 2026. These funds support apprenticeship programs under the Apprenticeship Assistance Act, directly aiding job training for workers in public works and other sectors. The bill ensures dedicated funding for workforce development while including a contingency to transfer money to the general fund only if other reserves are exhausted during budget shortfalls.

Maddy summaryHB 64 allocates $13.25 million from New Mexico's Public Project Revolving Fund to three specific state funds for fiscal year 2027 and beyond. It provides $6.25 million to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund to match federal projects under the Safe Drinking Water Act, $2 million to the Local Government Planning Fund, and $5 million to the Cultural Affairs Facilities Infrastructure Fund for facility upgrades. The bill ensures unspent funds remain with the recipient programs instead of returning to the original revolving fund. This directly supports water infrastructure projects, local government planning initiatives, and cultural facility improvements across the state.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 3 is a non-binding resolution honoring New Mexico nurses and health care workers for their dedication during public health emergencies, workforce shortages, and rural health disparities. It commends their service to the public and directs copies to the New Mexico Nurses Association, health care organizations, and hospital leadership. This resolution does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it solely expresses formal appreciation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJR 9) proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to create an independent commission that would redraw state legislative district boundaries after each federal census. The commission would consist of nine members: three each from the two largest political parties and three unaffiliated members reflecting New Mexico's demographics. It would be required to follow non-dilution rules for minority voting rights and explicitly cannot consider incumbents' addresses or party voting history when drawing districts. If approved by voters, this commission would replace the legislature in creating redistricting plans, aiming to reduce partisan influence in the process.

Maddy summaryHB 213 creates tax credits for New Mexico individuals and businesses that install solar energy systems on public school or public post-secondary educational institution property. The credit covers 40% of installation costs (or appraised value for federal credit applications), with a total state cap of $300 million and annual limits of $100 million before 2028. To qualify, taxpayers must prove system installation, safety compliance, and school property use through state certification. The credit can be transferred to other taxpayers and applies to tax years ending before 2037.

Maddy summaryHB 138, the Hospital Patient Safety Act, requires all New Mexico hospitals to establish two committees: one focused on nursing staffing (with at least 51% direct care nurses) and another for professional/technical staff. These committees must develop written staffing plans prioritizing patient safety and review them annually using specific data, including missed breaks, overtime hours, and patient outcomes. The bill directly affects hospitals licensed under New Mexico's Public Health Act, mandating concrete changes to how staffing levels are planned and monitored. Key provisions include requiring committees to meet quarterly, maintain transparent minutes, and base staffing decisions on hospital-specific data rather than fixed ratios. The legislation aims to address staffing challenges through collaborative, data-driven planning without prescribing specific nurse-to-patient ratios.

Maddy summaryHB 142 removes a requirement that New Mexico county commissions hold public hearings before adopting ordinances to implement a property tax rebate program for low-income homeowners. The bill changes existing law so counties can directly adopt such ordinances without prior public hearings, streamlining the process for local governments to offer the rebate. This affects counties that choose to provide the rebate, which currently allows eligible homeowners (with modified gross income under $24,000) to receive a refund of 35%-75% of their property taxes, capped at $350 per return. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and does not alter the rebate amounts or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 85 prohibits the installation of decorative or non-recreational turf (like in medians or parking lots) on state-owned or state-funded properties starting in 2027. It bans using regular water for irrigation on such turf after 2032, requiring only recycled or reclaimed water instead, and mandates replacing removed turf with drought-resistant landscaping (like native plants or efficient irrigation systems) by 2032. The bill directly affects all state-owned facilities and projects where the state provided at least 40% of funding, including government buildings, parks, and public infrastructure. Key provisions focus on reducing water use and promoting climate-resilient landscaping on public land.