Rep. Gail Armstrong

Maddy summaryHB 431 replaces the election process for watershed district boards with an appointment system. Instead of voters electing board members at local elections, soil and water conservation district supervisors will appoint five board members (including one current/former watershed director when available), with initial terms of two and four years. Minority jurisdiction districts (those with less than half the land in a watershed) gain the right to appoint three additional directors, following similar term structures. The bill directly affects watershed districts' governance structure by shifting authority from public elections to supervisor appointments, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 65 clarifies that local school boards and charter school governing bodies, not the state, determine the exact number of instructional days per year and per week for New Mexico public schools. It maintains a statewide minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year for students (550 for half-day kindergarten) but allows local entities to set the specific schedule within that framework. The bill also specifies that time during breakfast programs and certain professional development hours count toward the required instructional time. This directly affects all public school districts and charter schools in New Mexico starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 308 removes the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) from New Mexico's Local Election Act, creating a separate election process for its board members. The bill eliminates standard requirements for absentee voting, election notices, and polling locations under the Local Election Act, instead establishing new rules for MRGCD elections. Key provisions include requiring election proclamations to be published in local newspapers 30 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, and mandating that qualified electors must own property within the MRGCD's benefited area to vote. This directly affects MRGCD voters (property owners in the district) and election administrators who now follow specific MRGCD procedures instead of standard local election rules. The bill became law on March 22, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 5 creates a new independent Office of Child Advocate in New Mexico to oversee child welfare services. It establishes a State Child Advocate position appointed by the governor (with a six-year term), selected by a nine-member committee with diverse expertise including foster care experience and Indian Child Welfare knowledge. The office will review services provided to children in foster care, group homes, or juvenile facilities, handle complaints via a toll-free hotline, and ensure policies protect children's rights. The bill was enacted after passing the legislature and being signed into law on March 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates February 18, 2025, as "New Mexico Home Builders Association Day" to honor the organization's work in housing advocacy and industry support. It recognizes the association's role in promoting safe housing, advocating for industry standards, and supporting homeownership across New Mexico. As a symbolic gesture, the resolution does not create new laws or affect policy. The bill was passed by the House and signed into effect.

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial (HM 14) commemorates February 5, 2025, as "FFA Day" in the New Mexico House of Representatives. It recognizes the New Mexico FFA organization, which serves over 5,200 youth across 93 chapters, for its role in developing leadership, career skills, and life experiences through agricultural education programs. The memorial is purely ceremonial and does not create new laws, funding, or programs - it solely honors FFA's contributions to youth development in New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 4, "NM OIL & GAS DAY," is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the oil and natural gas industry's economic contributions to New Mexico. It declares January 28, 2025, as "New Mexico Oil and Gas Day" in the House, citing the industry's 2024 revenue of $13 billion - funding 49% of the general fund, $2.3 billion for education, $600 million for higher education, and over 100,000 jobs. The resolution has no policy or funding changes; it is purely symbolic recognition. It was passed by the House on January 28, 2025, but not advanced further.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 6 designates January 30, 2025, as "New Mexico MESA Day" to symbolically recognize New Mexico MESA, a nonprofit STEM education program. The memorial honors the organization for its work supporting students from diverse backgrounds in mathematics, engineering, and science through tutoring, college counseling, and school partnerships across nearly 110 New Mexico schools. It has no legal effect or funding impact - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation for MESA's educational contributions.