Rep. Cathrynn Brown

Maddy summaryHB 185, if passed, would require New Mexico public schools and athletic clubs to designate sports teams, competitions, or events as exclusively for males, females, or co-ed. It prohibits biological males from competing on teams designated for females (using birth certificate sex as eligibility proof), while allowing males only as non-roster practice players. The bill directly affects female athletes, schools, and athletic organizations by mandating separate competition opportunities based on biological sex. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 280 would expand New Mexico's definition of "violent felony" to include specific crimes like aggravated battery against household members, certain child abuse cases resulting in great bodily harm, and criminal sexual penetration. It would require mandatory life imprisonment without parole (except for medical or geriatric reasons) for individuals convicted of three separate violent felony offenses. The bill also specifies that juvenile convictions before age 18 do not count toward the "three strikes" unless the person was sentenced as an adult, and out-of-state violent felony convictions would be treated as violent felonies under New Mexico law. This law would directly affect repeat violent offenders by eliminating parole eligibility after three qualifying convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 437 creates a tax credit for New Mexico residents who donate to qualifying foster care organizations. The credit provides $500 for most individuals and $1,000 for married couples filing jointly, with unused portions carried forward for up to five years if they exceed current tax liability. To qualify, organizations must have federal 501(c)(3) status, serve at least 200 foster care youth in New Mexico, and spend at least half their budget on foster care services like medical care, education support, and activities promoting normal childhood experiences. The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and requires documentation from both donors and organizations to verify eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 356 (New Mexico, 2025) removes the requirement for public protest when drilling replacement wells within 100 feet of an original well, provided the new well uses the same water source, same water amount, and an emergency justifies skipping standard review. Well owners must notify the state engineer before drilling and apply for a permit within 30 days. Adjacent water right holders can no longer block the well via injunction but may sue later for damages if harmed. The bill was referred to committees and later postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 276 creates a new Public-Private Partnership Fund and Program to provide grants for broadband and transportation projects in New Mexico. It directly affects state/local governments (public partners) and private companies (private partners) by allowing them to collaborate on infrastructure projects without following standard procurement rules. The program requires the Local Government Division to evaluate grant applications using cost-benefit analysis, assess project delays, and prioritize projects that expand internet access or address transportation infrastructure needs. Funds will come from the Public Project Revolving Fund, with grants covering project costs while ensuring public funds are safeguarded.

Maddy summaryHB 225 creates a $100 weekly tax credit for each child a foster parent cares for in New Mexico, directly benefiting licensed foster parents who are state residents and not dependents of another person. To claim the credit, foster parents must obtain certification from the Children, Youth and Families Department, which will issue a certificate specifying the credit amount and eligible taxable years. Any credit exceeding a taxpayer's income tax liability will be refunded, and the credit must be claimed within three years of certification. This policy applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and will be tracked in the state's tax expenditure budget.

Maddy summaryHB 433 requires New Mexico's Higher Education Department, in collaboration with the Public Education Department, Workforce Solutions Department, and the Legislative Education Study Committee, to study career and technical education (CTE) course availability and instructor compensation. The study must examine course shortages, alignment with industry workforce needs, instructor salary comparisons to other higher education roles, and input from industry employers. It mandates a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations by October 1, 2025, and appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for this purpose. The bill directly affects state education agencies, school districts offering CTE programs, and industry employers providing workforce input.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates August each year as "New Mexico Red and Green Chile Month" to recognize chile's cultural significance and economic impact. It highlights chile's role in blending New Mexico's indigenous and Spanish heritage and acknowledges its importance to the state's agricultural economy, supporting thousands of jobs. The bill is purely commemorative and does not create new laws or obligations. It directly affects New Mexicans by formally celebrating a symbol central to the state's identity and livelihood.

Maddy summaryHB 171 allows licensed custodial care facilities providing medically monitored withdrawal management to legally stock and possess certain controlled substances (specifically those in Schedules III-V under federal law). This applies only to facilities with a consulting pharmacist overseeing care and 24/7 nursing staff on-site year-round. The bill amends New Mexico's Pharmacy Act to authorize these facilities to maintain the necessary medications for withdrawal management directly on-site. It does not change patient eligibility or treatment protocols, but streamlines access to specific controlled drugs for approved facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates funding for New Mexico's Department of Transportation (DOT) to maintain and improve state highways during the 2026 fiscal year. It provides specific budgets for highway construction (e.g., project design and bridge work), road maintenance (e.g., pavement preservation and snow removal), and safety programs (e.g., traffic fatality reduction targets). The bill includes measurable performance goals, such as completing 88% of projects on schedule and maintaining 91% of interstate roads in fair condition. It directly affects DOT operations, infrastructure projects, and state highway maintenance services across New Mexico.