Rep. Linda Serrato

Maddy summaryHB 166 limits local government restrictions on battery-charged fences with alarm systems outside areas zoned exclusively for residential use. It prohibits counties and municipalities from banning these fences, imposing extra installation requirements beyond IEC standards, or requiring additional permits beyond standard alarm permits. The bill sets specific safety rules: fences must use ≤12V batteries, produce ≤IEC-standard electrical charge, be enclosed by a ≥5-foot non-electric fence, reach ≥10 feet height, and display "WARNING: ELECTRIC FENCE" signs every 30 feet. This directly affects property owners in commercial or mixed-use zones seeking to install such security fencing without local regulatory barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 27 expands New Mexico's Technology Jobs and Research & Development Tax Credit by broadening the definition of "qualified expenditure" to include property owned by municipalities or counties for industrial revenue bond projects. This change directly affects technology companies and research facilities in New Mexico that qualify for the credit, allowing them to claim tax credits for costs related to local government-owned facilities used in qualifying R&D activities. The bill modifies existing tax code definitions to include these previously excluded property costs, without altering the credit's base eligibility criteria or calculation method. The amendment applies to businesses meeting standard requirements under the Technology Jobs and R&D Tax Credit Act, such as conducting qualified research in New Mexico facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 171 establishes a "Wildfire Fund" to reimburse New Mexico electric utilities for damages from wildfires they caused through their infrastructure (defined as "covered wildfires"). The fund is financed by a per-megawatt surcharge collected from participating utilities, not customers, with surcharge amounts based on each utility's wildfire risk history and mitigation plans. Utilities must submit approved wildfire mitigation plans covering vegetation management, infrastructure safety, and response protocols to qualify for fund payments. The bill also creates new oversight roles - the Service Infrastructure Safety Engineer and Bureau within the Public Regulation Commission - to manage the fund and ensure compliance.

Maddy summarySB 96 ensures registered and licensed child care homes (including family and group homes) are treated as standard residential uses under local zoning rules, meaning they cannot be charged extra fees, require special permits, or face stricter parking rules than other single-family homes in the same zone. Licensed child care centers are permitted "by right" in commercial, mixed-use, or multifamily residential zones without additional fees or building restrictions. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing unique regulations on child care facilities that don’t apply to other private residences and clarifies that homeowner associations cannot block or charge fees for child care operations. These provisions aim to reduce regulatory barriers for child care providers while maintaining consistent zoning standards.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 24 requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division and Land Grant Council to study potential consequences of changing how the Las Vegas land grant is governed. Currently, a district court manages the land grant (since 1903), but this structure has led to disputes over self-governance for land grant members and heirs. The study will examine revising the 1903 law (Chapter 49, Article 6 NMSA 1978) that gives the court management authority, following agreement from both the court and land grant members that the current system needs adjustment. The entities must report findings to legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 165 clarifies that property lessees under industrial revenue bond leases must pay special assessments for eligible energy, water, or resilience improvements on commercial, industrial, or large residential properties. The bill amends New Mexico law to explicitly include lessees (not just owners) as responsible for these payments under the Improvement Special Assessment Act. Key provisions require counties to record liens securing these assessments against the property, with the payment obligation tied to the lease agreement. This directly affects lessees of properties with five or more dwelling units or industrial facilities financed through such leases. The bill does not change the types of qualifying improvements or create new financing mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 154 updates the definition of "advanced energy product" for New Mexico's existing tax credit programs. It specifies that qualifying products include solar components (like panels and cells), wind turbine parts, battery materials, fusion machine components, and critical minerals (such as lithium and cobalt). This definition determines eligibility for the Advanced Energy Equipment Income Tax Credit and Corporate Income Tax Credit, which provide tax relief for manufacturers investing in qualifying facilities within New Mexico. The bill directly affects businesses producing these specific energy technologies who seek to claim the tax credits.

Maddy summarySB 3 requires New Mexico schools and childcare programs to follow immunization rules based on recommendations from the state health department or the American Academy of Pediatrics. It also mandates that adult immunization guidelines align with specific medical associations' guidance. The bill prohibits health insurance plans from charging copays or deductibles for vaccines recommended by the health department and ensures state-purchased vaccines meet those standards. This affects children in schools/childcare, adults seeking immunizations, and health insurers. The bill was declared an emergency to expedite implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 179 extends the sunset date for a tax deduction allowing small New Mexico businesses to exclude qualifying sales from gross receipts tax. The deduction applies to retail sales under $500 of specific items (like clothing, books, home goods, and toys) made on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. It directly affects small businesses with 10 or fewer employees operating in New Mexico, enabling them to reduce taxable income for these sales. The bill amends the tax code to extend the deduction’s expiration from 2025 to 2030, maintaining the current eligibility rules and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 410, the Consumer Information and Data Protection Act, would require businesses collecting personal data from New Mexico residents to obtain clear, affirmative consent (banning deceptive "dark patterns" like confusing website designs) and implement stronger protections for sensitive data, including health information, biometric data, and precise location tracking. It defines key terms like "personal data" (information linked to an identifiable person) and establishes rules for data processing, storage, and sharing, with specific safeguards for minors and health data. The bill creates civil penalties for violations and outlines investigative authority for enforcement, while exempting entities already covered under federal HIPAA health privacy rules. It directly affects businesses operating in New Mexico that handle consumer data, including online services and apps collecting location or health information. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and has not become law.