Sen. Katy Duhigg

Maddy summarySB 300 appropriates $10 million from the state general fund to the Higher Education Department for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to expand access to and enrollment in adult literacy programs across New Mexico. The bill directly affects adult learners seeking to improve reading, writing, and communication skills, as well as the state's adult education providers. Key provisions include allocating funds specifically for statewide program expansion and requiring unspent balances by the end of 2027 to revert to the general fund. The legislation focuses on increasing funding availability rather than creating new program requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that foster children are not considered residents of foster homes for homeowners insurance purposes. It directly affects foster children, foster families, and insurance providers by preventing insurers from denying coverage based solely on a child's foster placement status. The key provision adds to New Mexico's insurance code to state that minors in foster care cannot be disqualified from premises liability coverage due to their foster status. This creates a specific policy change to ensure consistent insurance coverage for foster children without requiring additional legal or administrative steps.

Maddy summarySB 65, the Consumer Solar Protection Act, protects homeowners who install residential solar energy systems by preventing unfair practices from sellers and installers. It prohibits misleading claims (like calling systems "free" or government-sponsored), requires paper copies of contracts upon request, and bans requesting power of attorney. Crucially, it ensures homeowners pay nothing for solar systems that aren’t generating electricity within 90 days of installation, and payments must be refunded if the system fails. Violations could trigger $1,000 penalties per incident, with potential triple damages for willful violations.

Maddy summarySB 390 requires health insurers in New Mexico to reimburse behavioral and mental health care providers for all medically necessary services they provide, regardless of whether the provider specializes in mental health. This directly affects mental health providers (like therapists and counselors) and insurers, ensuring they receive equal payment for covered care as providers of general medical services. The key provision eliminates financial or administrative barriers based on a provider’s specialty designation, applying to all licensed providers delivering care within their scope. This bill reinforces existing parity requirements by mandating that insurers pay for necessary mental health services on the same basis as physical health care.

Maddy summarySB 232 appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to fund master planning for permanently affordable housing on publicly owned undeveloped properties in Albuquerque's Sawmill district. The funds, to be spent in fiscal years 2026-2027, are specifically for contracting a planning process to develop housing options. This bill directly affects Albuquerque residents seeking affordable housing and the city government managing the Sawmill district properties. The legislation does not create housing but allocates resources for the initial planning phase, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2027.

Maddy summarySB 124 amends New Mexico's Insurance Code to grant the Superintendent of Insurance the explicit authority to issue civil investigative subpoenas during examinations or investigations of potential insurance code violations. This change allows the Superintendent (or designated staff) to compel testimony or document production from individuals or entities under investigation, without first issuing a notice of contemplated action. The bill also clarifies that failure to comply with such a subpoena can be enforced through a court order in district court. This directly affects insurance companies, agents, and other entities subject to the Superintendent's oversight during regulatory investigations.

Maddy summaryHB 586 is a New Mexico legislative bill titled "PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE," sponsored by Representatives Szczepanski, Chandler, and Duhigg. The provided context does not include the bill's specific policy provisions or concrete changes, only its procedural status (passed by the House and Senate and signed into law). Without the bill text or summary detailing its content, no accurate description of its mechanisms, affected parties, or policy changes can be provided. The bill's title is broad and does not indicate specific provisions.

Maddy summarySB 66 exempts specific New Mexico state agencies - including law enforcement, early childhood education departments, child care facilities, child welfare services, and public schools - from the state's general criminal background check rules for employment. Instead, these agencies must create their own criminal history screening rules to determine applicant eligibility. The bill directly affects job applicants seeking positions in these exempted agencies and requires the agencies to establish their own screening procedures rather than using the standard state process. It does not change existing background check requirements for other employers.

Maddy summaryHB 12 modifies New Mexico's Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order (ERPO) law to streamline safety measures. It allows law enforcement officers to file ERPO petitions using credible information gathered during official duties (not just from reporting parties), and requires respondents to immediately surrender all firearms upon receiving the order - replacing the previous 48-hour window. The bill directly affects individuals subject to ERPOs and law enforcement officers handling these cases. Key provisions include mandating immediate firearm relinquishment, requiring detailed documentation of firearms and circumstances, and ensuring timely receipt copies for respondents and petitioners. These changes aim to expedite safety protocols while maintaining legal safeguards.

Maddy summarySB 283 requires New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to determine federal benefits eligibility for children in its custody within 60 days of entry and annually thereafter. CYFD must apply for eligible benefits on the child's behalf, act as the child's representative payee (if no one else is available), and manage those benefits solely for the child's needs - prohibiting use of benefits to cover CYFD care costs. The bill mandates annual financial accounting to the child and relevant parties (like guardians or tribes), provides financial literacy tools before a child leaves custody, and requires CYFD to release remaining funds to the child (if 18+) or their parent/guardian upon custody termination. CYFD must also submit annual reports to the legislature starting in 2026 detailing benefit usage. This bill directly affects children in state custody and CYFD's administrative procedures for federal benefit management.