Rep. John Block

Maddy summaryHB 319 amends New Mexico law to clarify that domestic strains of quail are no longer classified as "game birds" under state wildlife regulations. This change directly affects residents who raise quail for meat or eggs, removing the previous requirement for a permit to do so. The bill's key provision, added as Section 2, explicitly states that "a person may raise quail for the purposes of producing meat or eggs without a permit." The legislation updates the existing definition of game birds to exclude domestic quail, aligning regulations with common agricultural practices for this specific bird. This policy change simplifies compliance for quail raisers without altering hunting or conservation rules for wild quail populations.

Maddy summaryHB 237 creates a tax credit for small New Mexico businesses with gross receipts under $1 million in the previous calendar year. It allows eligible taxpayers to claim a credit equal to 25% of their state gross receipts tax liability (capped at $20,000 annually), reducing the tax they owe. Businesses must apply through the tax department and cannot claim this credit if they use other credits against the same tax. The credit applies to tax liabilities starting July 1, 2025, and unused portions can be carried forward to future years. This policy directly affects small businesses meeting the revenue threshold, providing a direct reduction in their state tax burden.

Maddy summaryHB 460 would repeal New Mexico's Liquor Excise Tax Act, the Distributions of Liquor Excise Tax Act, and the Local DWI Grant Program Act. This bill removes liquor excise taxes from the state's tax code, directly affecting liquor license holders (who would no longer pay this tax) and the state's revenue system. Key mechanisms include amending tax administration laws to delete liquor taxes from required payment lists and eliminating requirements for license transfers/renewals tied to liquor tax compliance. The bill also removes a $50 annual fee for direct wine shipments previously linked to liquor taxes. This is a straightforward repeal of specific tax provisions, not a broader tax reform.

Maddy summaryHB 274 amends New Mexico law to classify trafficking fentanyl as a first-degree felony, mandating a life prison sentence. It directly affects individuals who traffic fentanyl - defined as distributing, selling, or possessing with intent to distribute - by elevating the offense from potentially lower felony classifications. The bill modifies sentencing statutes to explicitly list "first degree felony for trafficking fentanyl" with a mandatory life term, removing judicial discretion for this specific crime. This change applies to all offenses involving fentanyl trafficking, regardless of prior convictions, and excludes drug-free school zones from additional sentencing enhancements.

Maddy summaryHB 555 requires that all New Mexico massage therapy licenses include a clear, visible photo of the license holder. This change applies directly to individuals holding or applying for a massage therapy license under the Massage Therapy Practice Act. The bill amends existing law to add this photo requirement, which would take effect on July 1, 2025, for all new and renewed licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 103 increases penalties for aggravated battery against peace officers by reclassifying the most severe cases - from third-degree to second-degree felonies. This applies when battery causes great bodily harm, involves a deadly weapon, or could cause great bodily harm or death. The bill does not change penalties for less severe battery offenses (which remain fourth-degree felonies). It was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, but its progress was postponed indefinitely in the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 558 prohibits publicly funded schools in New Mexico from using or distributing "sexually explicit material" as defined in the bill. It directly affects public school employees, contractors, and volunteers, who may face termination, license denial, or loss of school access for violations. The bill defines "sexually explicit material" to exclude medically accurate, age-appropriate sexual education content meeting state standards, and requires school districts to enforce prohibitions with $500 fines per violation. Enforcement mechanisms include termination for unlicensed staff, license sanctions for licensed staff, and revoked access for contractors/volunteers. The bill amends existing law to remove school-related exemptions for offenses related to minors.

Maddy summaryHB 44, the "Protection of Minors from Distribution of Harmful Material Act," requires commercial websites with over one-third of content deemed harmful to minors to verify users are at least 18 years old before access. It mandates using government ID or NIST-level 2 age verification methods and prohibits retaining personal data after verification. The law holds commercial entities liable for damages if they fail to verify ages, allow minors access, or retain identifying information, but excludes news organizations, public interest broadcasts, and internet service providers. This bill directly affects commercial websites hosting content meeting specific definitions of harmful material for minors, while preserving journalistic protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending New Mexico's constitution to change bail rules. It would allow all courts - not just "courts of record" - to deny bail for any criminal offense (not just felonies), based on strong evidence that a defendant might flee or pose a safety risk. The amendment removes current requirements that only prosecutors can request bail hearings and that courts must follow specific procedures for denial. It also maintains protections against excessive bail and prevents detention solely due to inability to pay financial conditions. The change requires voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summaryHB 564 establishes the New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission within the state's economic development department to promote bilateral trade and investment between New Mexico and Ireland. The commission, composed of members appointed by legislative leaders and the governor (including representation from agriculture, energy, tribal communities, and Irish-American groups), will focus on advancing trade in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. It must submit annual reports to state leaders starting in 2026, detailing findings and recommendations to strengthen economic ties. This bill creates a new administrative body without altering existing laws or imposing direct costs on businesses or residents.