Rep. Andrea Romero

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 45 requests the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee to investigate how President Trump's "DOGE" department and related federal actions affect New Mexico residents. It specifically examines impacts like job losses among federal employees (including NM residents), cuts to federal programs, and potential security risks from DOGE accessing sensitive government systems. The committee must report findings and recommendations by July 31, 2025, to state legislative committees and agency secretaries. This memorial does not change laws but seeks to assess federal actions' concrete effects on New Mexico.

Maddy summarySB 209 creates a permanent funding source for rural libraries in New Mexico by appropriating $29.5 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 and all future years. The bill directly affects rural libraries across the state, providing guaranteed annual funding to support their operations and services. Key provisions include prohibiting unspent funds from reverting to the general fund at year-end, ensuring the money remains dedicated to the libraries. This is a straightforward funding mechanism with no new regulations or eligibility requirements beyond the existing definition of rural libraries. The bill does not change library services or create new programs, only securing ongoing financial support.

Maddy summaryHB 331 requires cannabis businesses with 10 or more employees to enter into a written "labor peace agreement" with a recognized labor organization. This agreement prohibits businesses from interfering with employee organizing efforts and mandates they allow reasonable access for labor groups to discuss representation, while also banning strikes or boycotts by labor groups. Businesses with fewer than 10 employees must provide a written attestation they will secure such an agreement within 60 days of reaching 10 employees. Failure to comply may result in license suspension or denial of renewal starting September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects licensed cannabis businesses in New Mexico by tying license renewals to adherence to these labor agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 239 allocates $100,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Cultural Affairs Department to partner with the Higher Education Department on a feasibility study for a lowrider museum in Española. The study must be completed by 2027, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund. This bill does not establish the museum but assesses its potential viability, focusing on factors like costs, community interest, and operational needs. The funding is specifically limited to the study phase, not construction or operation of the museum.

Maddy summarySB 156 adds a definition for "low-income customer" to New Mexico's Public Utility Act and exempts these customers from additional fees ("rate riders") imposed when new customers connect to utility systems. It directly affects low-income households using electricity, gas, or water services who qualify under the new definition. The bill's key mechanism is creating a formal definition for "low-income customer" and mandating that utilities exclude these households from certain cost-sharing fees. This change aims to reduce financial burdens on eligible low-income utility users by preventing them from paying extra costs tied to new infrastructure connections.

Maddy summaryHB 253 requires that court records for eviction cases be sealed (made inaccessible to the public) from the start of the case. The records remain sealed until 15 days after a court orders the landlord to take possession, unless the tenant appeals or the parties agree to keep them sealed. After that period, records become public but must be resealed after three years or if a tenant petitions for resealing based on "interests of justice." The bill also prohibits courts from publishing tenant or landlord names online and exempts tenants from disclosing evictions to third parties.

Maddy summaryHB 392, the Single-Use Plastic Bag Act, would prohibit New Mexico retail establishments from providing single-use plastic bags for carrying purchased items, with exceptions for bulk products, takeout food with leakage risk, medical items, and other specific cases like live animal transport. Retailers could offer paper bags at a minimum 10-cent fee per bag (exempting low-income customers using SNAP or similar benefits), with 7 cents of each fee funding local waste reduction education programs. Local governments would enforce the ban, imposing penalties of up to $500 for a second violation and $1,000 for third or subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Mexico state, county, school district, and municipal governments to donate public funds to private entities for public purposes like health, safety, or welfare - currently prohibited by the state constitution. It would repeal two existing constitutional sections: one banning public fund donations to private parties (Article 9, Section 14) and another restricting appropriations for charitable or educational purposes (Article 4, Section 31). The amendment requires new implementing legislation passed by the legislature before any donations can occur, and it must be approved by voters at the next general election. The bill was referred to committees and postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it has not advanced to a vote.

Maddy summaryHB 222 requires oil and gas operators in New Mexico to disclose all chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and downhole operations before receiving drilling permits or conducting such activities. It specifically prohibits the use of any hydraulic fracturing fluid, drilling fluid, or proppant containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like those found in non-stick coatings or firefighting foam). Operators must provide detailed disclosures including chemical names, suppliers, and intended uses for each additive, with existing operators required to file disclosures by August 1, 2025. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for subsequent violations, with fines deposited into the state school fund. The bill directly affects oil and gas operators, service companies, and chemical suppliers operating in New Mexico's oil and gas sector.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 4) amends New Mexico's Abuse and Neglect Act to establish a specific "best interests of the child" standard for courts to use in child welfare cases. It requires courts to consider 14 concrete factors, including the child's vulnerabilities, history of harm or abuse, family substance abuse history, parenting skills, safety in the home, and the family's willingness to engage with support services. The bill directly affects children in abuse/neglect proceedings, their families, and child welfare agencies by providing clearer criteria for judicial decisions about custody and placement. It does not change funding, create new programs, or alter existing legal penalties.