Rep. Josh Hernandez

Maddy summaryHJM 9 is a procedural joint memorial requesting the New Mexico Legislative Council to create a special interim committee focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy. The committee would examine AI's impact on industries, government, and daily life - including concerns about bias, security, and workforce changes - and address New Mexico's lack of comprehensive data privacy laws. It would hold hearings, gather stakeholder input from businesses, consumers, and experts, and develop recommendations for future legislation in 2026. This bill does not create new laws but sets up a process to inform potential future regulations affecting residents, businesses, and state agencies. The committee's work would align with national trends while reflecting New Mexico's unique needs, such as its technology sector and national laboratories.

Maddy summaryHB 570 prohibits health insurers in New Mexico from requiring prior authorization for specific covered services, including chemotherapy, dialysis, elder care, and home health care. It also removes prior authorization requirements for prescription medications treating autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or substance use disorders - unless a biosimilar, interchangeable biologic, or generic alternative is available. Insurers may still request post-service notifications and treatment plans compliant with federal law. The bill directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking these covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 52 expands New Mexico's existing rural health care practitioner tax credit to include additional health care providers working in underserved rural areas. The bill adds professions like pharmacists, nurse practitioners, clinical social workers, physical therapists, and emergency medical technicians to the list of eligible practitioners who can claim the credit. Eligible providers must work at least 1,584 hours annually in a designated rural health underserved area, with credit amounts set at $5,000 for physicians/dentists or $3,000 for the newly included professions (half that amount for 792-1,583 hours). The credit, which can be carried forward if it exceeds tax liability, requires providers to apply through the Department of Health for certification before claiming it on their tax return.

Maddy summaryHB 498 revises New Mexico's rules for transferring liquor licenses between locations. It limits annual transfers to no more than ten licenses per local option district and requires voter approval via petition (signed by 5% of registered voters) and election before new transfers can occur. This affects businesses seeking to relocate licenses and gives local governments the power to block transfers through voter decisions. Transferred licenses will now count toward future license limits in the new district, as specified in the bill's amendments to existing liquor control statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 22 amends New Mexico's Minimum Wage Act to prohibit employers from deducting credit card processing fees from tips paid via credit card. It requires employers to pay tipped employees the full amount indicated by patrons on credit card slips, without any deductions for fees charged by credit card companies. This directly affects service workers (like servers and bartenders) who receive tips through credit card payments in New Mexico. The bill takes immediate effect as it declares an emergency.

Maddy summarySB 212 creates a tax credit for New Mexico national laboratories that receive federal funds for quantum testing and evaluation services or quantum device fabrication, matching the federal funds dollar-for-dollar. The credit is capped at $15 million per year per laboratory and $60 million total across all laboratories, requiring certification from the Economic Development Department and claiming within one year of receiving federal funds. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to 60 years, and the credit expires July 1, 2035. The bill aims to support quantum industry growth in New Mexico by aligning state tax incentives with federal quantum initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 202 creates a one-time $750 income tax credit for New Mexico taxpayers who purchase certified secure gun storage (like safes or lock boxes) after July 1, 2025. The credit, limited to $1 million total annually, requires proof of purchase and safety certification from the Department of Public Safety, with applications due within 12 months of purchase. Taxpayers may claim the credit against their tax liability, and any excess credit is refundable. The bill is currently stalled, having been postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, after passing committee review.

Maddy summarySB 149 creates a new crime of cyberbullying in New Mexico, specifically targeting communications directed at public or private school students. It defines cyberbullying as online or written messages that cause a student to fear physical harm, suffer mental/physical health effects, disrupt academic performance, or interfere with school activities. Penalties range from a misdemeanor for basic cases to a second-degree felony if the bullying results in death, with escalating charges based on the severity of harm (e.g., "great psychological harm" requiring professional care). The bill directly affects students in New Mexico schools and establishes clear legal consequences for perpetrators.

Maddy summarySB 173 reclassifies public safety telecommunicators (911 operators) employed by local governments as "municipal police members" under New Mexico's Public Employees Retirement Act. This change directly affects telecommunicators working for cities, counties, or other local public employers (not the state), granting them retirement benefits identical to police officers. The bill amends the retirement act's definitions to include telecommunicators under the "municipal police member" category, ensuring they qualify for the same pension and coverage plans as sworn police officers. It does not alter their job duties or pay but adjusts their retirement eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 484 would exempt tips received by New Mexico residents as compensation for services (like from restaurant servers or bartenders) from state income tax calculations. This directly affects workers in tipped occupations who currently have tips counted toward their taxable income. The bill creates a new tax exemption allowing these workers to exclude tip earnings from their taxable income starting in 2025. The policy change would reduce the state income tax burden for eligible service industry workers. The bill was referred to relevant committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.