Rep. Martin Zamora

Maddy summaryHB 474 would create a special Trail Life USA license plate for New Mexico vehicle owners, costing $35 initially and $30 annually to renew. Revenue from these fees would fund plate production ($12 per plate) and state parks development ($23 per plate), with the parks division receiving all renewal fees. The program would automatically end after 2031 if annual plate issuance drops below 50% of the average from 2026-2031. As of June 2025, the bill was postponed indefinitely and is not yet law.

Maddy summaryHB 154 exempts tax-exempt youth-serving organizations (like schools, sports clubs, or educational groups) from needing permits for fundraising raffles. It specifically removes the requirement to comply with New Mexico’s Bingo and Raffle Act for these raffles when the organization primarily serves youth under 18. The exemption applies to all fundraising raffles held by qualifying groups, eliminating administrative hurdles for their events. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 390 proposes a $12 million appropriation from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Environment for water line improvements in Curry County. The funding would cover planning, design, construction, replacement, and upgrades to water infrastructure across Curry County over fiscal years 2026-2028, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2028. This bill directly affects Curry County's water systems and the residents relying on them by addressing aging infrastructure through state-funded upgrades. The bill was referred to committees and later postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 300, the "Seizure Safe Schools Act," requires New Mexico schools to implement standardized protocols for managing students with seizure disorders. It mandates annual training for all school staff on recognizing seizures and providing first aid, and ensures each school has at least two trained personnel (including school nurses or designated "seizure care personnel") to administer prescribed medications or devices during school hours and activities. The bill requires individualized "seizure action plans" from parents detailing medical needs, symptoms, and accommodations, which must be reviewed by school nurses or trained staff. These provisions directly affect students with seizure disorders, their schools, and all school employees, aiming to ensure consistent, safe care while limiting liability for trained personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 572 makes it a felony to knowingly solicit a non-U.S. citizen to register to vote or vote in New Mexico. It broadly defines "solicitation" as any verbal, written, or electronic request to register or vote, including digital messages. Soliciting non-citizens violates the law even if the solicitor adds a disclaimer stating the person shouldn’t vote due to citizenship status. Violators face a fourth-degree felony charge, up to one year in prison, and a $5,000 fine per violation. The bill directly affects individuals or groups who actively encourage non-citizens to participate in elections.

Maddy summaryHB 551 creates a process for collecting overdue child support by attaching a legal claim to gambling winnings at racetrack casinos. If a person who owes child support (enforced by the Health Care Authority as the state's child support agency) wins $1,200 or more, the casino must check the winner's details against a list provided by the authority before paying out. If a match is found, the casino holds the winnings, notifies the authority, and places the claimed amount in a suspense account for seven days while the authority confirms the debt. The bill establishes specific procedures for casinos to follow and ensures funds are released to the winner if the debt is disputed or resolved.

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 59 is a procedural resolution requesting New Mexico's legislative committee to study potential benefits of formal economic ties with Ireland. It asks the committee to examine opportunities for bilateral trade, investment, and business exchanges, including establishing a New Mexico-Ireland trade commission. The resolution cites existing trade data (e.g., $67.4 billion in Irish exports to the U.S. in 2023) and New Mexico's historical connections to Ireland. It does not create new laws but directs the committee to propose legislative actions for the 2026 session based on its findings. This affects New Mexico's state legislature and economic development planning, not individual citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 155 changes qualifications for New Mexico's Gaming Control Board Executive Director by removing the previous limit that capped the director's annual salary at the governor's pay. It also updates the required experience to include "regulatory agency or gaming industry" (removing the "governmental" qualifier). The bill directly affects the Gaming Control Board's leadership position and its hiring process. However, the bill was pocket-vetoed by the governor on April 14, 2025, meaning it did not become law and the salary cap remains in effect.

Maddy summaryHB 206 authorizes the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans or grants from the Water Project Fund to 56 specific entities - including cities, counties, tribes, water districts, and mutual water associations - for water infrastructure projects. These projects include water storage, conveyance, delivery, conservation, recycling, flood prevention, and watershed management across multiple New Mexico communities. The bill declares an emergency to expedite funding for these critical water system improvements. It directly affects local governments and water providers by enabling them to access state funds for planned water infrastructure upgrades.