Rep. Josh Hernandez

Maddy summaryHB 325 creates two new tax deductions for businesses building or selling new residential housing in New Mexico. It allows a deduction for labor costs incurred during construction (Section 2) and deductions of up to $125,000 per year for sales of new residential housing (single-family homes, townhouses, condos, or apartment buildings) or $75,000 for housing intended for lease (Section 3). The bill also includes a "hold harmless" provision (Section 1) requiring state distributions to municipalities and counties to offset potential revenue losses from these deductions. The bill, which would take effect July 1, 2025, directly affects developers, contractors, and real estate sellers of qualifying new housing.

Maddy summaryHB 368 amends New Mexico's high-wage jobs tax credit program by updating the definition of "threshold job" to clarify eligibility. It allows businesses to claim an 8.5% tax credit on wages for new high-wage jobs, capped at $12,750 per job annually. Employers must certify specific details like employee wages, job location, and workforce changes when applying. The bill was signed into law in April 2025, making these changes effective for tax credit applications.

Maddy summaryHB 233 requires New Mexico health insurance plans to cover durable medical equipment specifically for treating active diabetic foot ulcers, including topical oxygen therapy, when prescribed by a healthcare provider. This mandate directly affects individuals with diabetes who develop foot ulcers, ensuring their insurance covers these necessary medical devices. The bill amends existing insurance laws to add this equipment as a required benefit under policies covering diabetes care, without creating new funding. It applies to all individual and group health insurance policies, health plans, and managed care plans operating in New Mexico.

Maddy summaryHB 402 requires health insurance carriers in New Mexico to add new providers to their payment systems within 30 days of receiving a complete credentialing application. If carriers miss this deadline, they must reimburse providers for covered services rendered after the 30-day mark. The law also sets standards for the credentialing process, limiting required application forms to two and requiring carriers to send written requests for missing documentation within 10 days. This directly affects health insurance companies and healthcare providers (including dentists), ensuring timely access to payment systems and reducing reimbursement delays.

Maddy summarySB 169 creates a framework to certify sites ready for immediate economic development in New Mexico. It requires the economic development department to conduct site characterization studies assessing infrastructure, environment, workforce, and other factors, then recommend sites for certification to a new advisory committee. The committee - comprising state agency representatives and public experts - reviews sites, recommends designations, and advises on funding for pre-development work like environmental remediation, infrastructure upgrades, and permitting. Once certified, sites become eligible for grants or loans from the new "site readiness fund" to cover costs before construction begins, directly supporting developers and local governments preparing land for business growth.

Maddy summaryHB 192 allocates $2.8 million from the general fund to cover subscriber fees for New Mexico's digital trunked radio communications system, directly benefiting municipal, county, and tribal public safety agencies providing law enforcement, fire, medical, or emergency services. The bill requires the Department of Information Technology to submit an annual report by December 1 starting in 2026, detailing projected fees and users for the following fiscal year. This ensures transparency in funding allocation for the public safety radio system, which agencies rely on for critical communications. The appropriation is non-reverting, meaning unspent funds carry over to future years.

Maddy summarySB 170 revises definitions and funding rules for New Mexico's Public Project Revolving Fund under the New Mexico Finance Authority Act. It clarifies what qualifies as a "public project" (e.g., infrastructure, utilities, housing) and expands the list of eligible "qualified entities" that can access funding, including cities, schools, tribes, and utilities. The bill updates how money in the revolving fund can be used for loans, grants, and securities to finance public projects, while also revising economic development rate rules for gas and electric utilities. These changes directly affect local governments, public institutions, and utility providers seeking to fund infrastructure projects through state financing.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution, not a law. It declares February 20, 2025 as "Excellence in Rio Rancho Day" in the New Mexico House of Representatives. The resolution recognizes Rio Rancho's growth, economic progress (including median income increases), safety rankings, school district achievements, and business community. It has no policy impact or binding effect; it simply honors the city through a symbolic declaration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special property tax valuation method for multifamily housing (defined as residential buildings with five or more units regularly rented for 30+ days) in New Mexico. It limits annual value increases and caps the per-unit tax value at 40% of the total property value divided by the number of units, excluding amenities like pools or gyms from valuation. For newly constructed multifamily housing, the tax value is set at the lower of the market value or actual construction and land costs, requiring owners to provide proof to county assessors. These changes apply to property taxes starting in 2026.