Rep. Charlotte Little

Maddy summaryHB 16 proposes to increase prison sentences for fentanyl trafficking in New Mexico based on the amount involved or the role of the offender. Specifically, it adds up to three years to the standard sentence for possessing 100-500 fentanyl pills or 10-50 grams of powder, and up to five additional years for larger quantities or for organizing/supervising trafficking. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl under existing laws, with enhancements applied on top of current penalties (not replacing them). It is currently pending after being postponed indefinitely in the June 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHB 40, titled the "Traveling with Dignity Act," requires all state-funded facilities serving 2,500+ annual visitors - including public buildings and large commercial venues like theaters or convention centers - to install at least one gender-neutral, accessible universal adult changing station in single-occupancy restrooms. Covered facilities must comply by July 1, 2032, with earlier deadlines for renovations costing over $50,000 or new constructions receiving state funding. The bill defines these stations as height-adjustable, adult-sized changing tables available to all genders. Currently pending after being postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, the law aims to improve accessibility for people with disabilities or caregiving needs during public outings.

Maddy summarySB 279, the Gas-Operated Semiautomatic Firearms Exclusion Act, bans the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of gas-operated semiautomatic firearms (those using gas pressure to cycle ammunition), large-capacity magazines (over 10 rounds), and rapid-fire devices that increase firing speed. It takes effect July 1, 2025, for new transactions and January 1, 2026, for possession, directly affecting firearm owners and dealers in New Mexico. The bill requires the Attorney General to maintain a list of prohibited firearms and allows exceptions for pre-2025 firearms certified by owners before January 1, 2026, or for government use. It does not affect non-gas-operated semiautomatic firearms or devices designed for .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

Maddy summaryHB 38, introduced by Rep. Kathleen Cates, creates a new third-degree felony offense for knowingly possessing or transporting a "weapon conversion device" - parts designed to convert semiautomatic weapons into fully automatic weapons. The bill defines key terms, including that a "semiautomatic weapon" fires one round per trigger pull and a "fully automatic weapon" shoots multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Each device found in violation constitutes a separate offense. The bill was referred to committees and passed their reports but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 39 modifies New Mexico's firearm possession laws by prohibiting adults with certain juvenile firearm offenses from receiving, transporting, or possessing firearms. It directly affects adults aged 18+ who had a juvenile court disposition involving firearm use that would be a felony if committed as an adult, provided less than 10 years have passed since the disposition and no pardon was granted. The bill adds this category to existing prohibitions under Section 30-7-16 NMSA, expanding background checks to include these juvenile records. This change ensures such individuals remain barred from firearm access even if their juvenile record was later sealed under Section 32A-2-26.

Maddy summaryHB 123, the "Uniform Cohabitants' Economic Remedies Act," creates legal rights for unmarried couples living together (cohabitants) to seek financial remedies based on their contributions to the relationship. It directly affects cohabitants who are not married but live together as a couple after age 18, allowing them to file lawsuits for economic claims related to domestic work, childcare, financial support, or property contributions - excluding sexual relations. Key provisions include establishing rules for cohabitants' agreements (which can be oral), requiring courts to consider factors like duration of cohabitation and nature of contributions when evaluating claims, and ensuring these claims don’t interfere with child support or domestic abuse protections. The law provides a new legal pathway for cohabitants to seek fair division of property or compensation upon relationship termination, without replacing existing family law remedies.

Maddy summaryHB 194 would have prohibited public, private, and charter schools in New Mexico from banning students from federally recognized tribes, pueblos, or nations from wearing culturally significant items like regalia, jewelry, moccasins, beaded caps, or feathers at graduation or promotion ceremonies. The bill directly affects Indigenous students by protecting their right to express cultural identity during school events. Key provisions define "objects of cultural significance" to include specific traditional items, ensuring schools cannot restrict their display. The bill was replaced by a committee substitute and later postponed indefinitely, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 41 creates a "Turquoise Alert System" to rapidly share information about missing enrolled members or eligible members of federally recognized American Indian tribes, pueblos, or nations in New Mexico. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to develop a plan for issuing these alerts, including notifying law enforcement, media, and cellular providers through existing emergency alert systems. It mandates specific record-keeping for each alert, tracking details like the person's age, gender, and recovery date. This system directly affects tribal communities and law enforcement agencies responsible for implementing the alerts, while distinguishing this category from existing "Silver" (elderly/dementia) or "Brittany" (developmental disability) alerts.

Maddy summaryHB 244 sets a minimum age requirement of 28 years for individuals seeking election or appointment as magistrate judges in New Mexico. The bill also requires all magistrate candidates to have a high school diploma or equivalent credential, and for districts with over 200,000 residents, mandates that elected or appointed magistrates must be licensed attorneys in New Mexico. This law directly affects candidates running for or being appointed to magistrate positions, particularly in larger districts. The changes update existing qualification rules without altering judicial procedures or creating new substantive policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Mexico to add the DNA of individuals arrested for a felony but who die before being formally charged to the national CODIS DNA database. If the person died while in prison, their DNA is automatically entered into CODIS. If they died outside prison, prosecutors must seek a court order to add the DNA. The law directly affects only those arrested for felonies who die before facing charges, with specific rules based on whether they were incarcerated at the time of death.