Rep. Josh Hernandez

Maddy summarySB 211 creates a 30% tax credit for businesses spending at least $3 million on infrastructure for quantum technology research facilities in New Mexico, capped at $50 million per facility. It directly affects companies building such facilities (excluding U.S. government-operated sites) by allowing them to reduce their state income tax liability through a two-step certification process with the economic development department. The credit expires for taxable years ending before 2035, with a total state spending limit of $75 million (increasing to $150 million if New Mexico wins a specific federal quantum grant). The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 478 revises New Mexico's rules for transferring certain liquor licenses, specifically allowing dispenser's and retailer's licenses issued before July 1, 1981, to move between locations across the state (with exceptions for some class B counties and municipalities that have already banned transfers). The bill limits transfers to no more than ten licenses per local option district annually and requires that transferred licenses count toward future license caps in that district. It also establishes a community veto process: if 5% of registered voters petition for an election, a vote can block statewide transfers for two years if rejected. This directly affects businesses seeking to relocate licenses and local governments that can regulate license density through voter referendums.

Maddy summarySB 148, the Anti-Hazing Act, creates new criminal penalties for hazing and failure to report it at New Mexico schools. It defines hazing as intentional acts causing physical or psychological harm during student organization activities (like fraternities, sports teams, or clubs), with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to second-degree felonies for severe outcomes like death. The bill also allows victims to sue for damages and requires colleges to adopt hazing prevention programs, codes of conduct, and committees. These changes directly affect students, school staff, student organizations, and post-secondary institutions across New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHB 241 clarifies financial terms used in New Mexico's gaming tax calculations. It defines "allowable gaming expenses" to include specific costs like security, employee salaries, license fees, and maintenance, and defines "balance of net take" as revenue remaining after paying taxes and these expenses. This change directly affects gaming operators by standardizing how they calculate taxable income under the Gaming Control Act. The bill does not alter tax rates or create new requirements - only refines existing definitions for clarity. (Procedural bill; summary under 2 sentences.)

Maddy summaryHB 370 prohibits hospitals receiving public funds from denying medical staff membership or clinical privileges based on economic factors, such as a doctor’s fee structure, advertising, participation in health plans, or patient referral patterns. It requires hospitals to base credentialing decisions solely on objective, uniform professional qualifications, not anti-competitive motives. The law specifically bans consideration of factors like membership in professional groups, willingness to refer patients, or whether a provider works at competing facilities. This directly affects healthcare professionals seeking hospital privileges and hospitals receiving state or federal funding in New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHB 369 modifies the fee schedule for insurance licensing in New Mexico, affecting insurers, agents, brokers, adjusters, and other licensed insurance professionals. It updates specific fee amounts for applications, renewals, and filings - for example, increasing the biennial producer license renewal from $30 to $60 and raising the viatical settlements provider license renewal from $400 to $500. The bill does not change licensing requirements or timelines but adjusts the cost structure for existing license categories. These changes apply directly to all entities seeking or maintaining insurance licenses under New Mexico law. The bill was passed by committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 377 changes how residential property taxes are calculated in New Mexico. It updates the definition of "residential property" and requires valuation authorities to use specific methods for properties owned by a single taxpayer across multiple parcels or contiguous tracts, treating them as a single unit for tax purposes. The bill also mandates that property tax notices include comparable sales data used in valuation and prohibits penalties for late taxes if notices weren't mailed on time. These changes directly affect residential property owners, especially those with multiple properties in one county, by altering how their tax value is determined and calculated.

Maddy summaryHB 299 would create a new category of retirement member for law enforcement instructors at the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy. Specifically, it defines "state law enforcement instructor member" as individuals who maintain law enforcement certification and provide training under the Law Enforcement Training Act. This change would include these instructors under the existing State Public Safety Member Coverage Plan 1, aligning them with other public safety employees for retirement benefits. The bill does not alter benefit amounts or eligibility rules but expands who qualifies for this specific retirement plan.

Maddy summaryHB 363 creates a new legal structure called a "decentralized unincorporated nonprofit association" in New Mexico, enabling groups to operate without traditional corporate oversight. It allows associations with at least two members to form under a written agreement, use blockchain and smart contracts for governance (like voting), and hold property for members' benefit - while prohibiting profit distribution to members. The bill requires filing formation documents with the Secretary of State and specifies that members' interests cannot be transferred or seized upon death or membership termination. This directly affects nonprofits seeking to leverage digital tools for decentralized decision-making while maintaining nonprofit status.

Maddy summaryHB 302 prevents New Mexico municipalities and counties from reducing development impact fees through "proportional share" calculations or requiring developers to waive rights under the Development Fees Act. It ensures developers receive full credit for contributions like park land dedications, infrastructure (water/wastewater lines, roads), or capital improvements without value reductions. Local governments cannot impose additional restrictions on using these credits, and existing agreements with such restrictions become invalid. The bill directly affects developers paying impact fees and local governments managing development fees, effective July 1, 2025.