Maddy summarySB 356, the "State Diversity Act," requires New Mexico state agencies to address systemic barriers in hiring, promotion, and pay by creating a Chief Diversity Officer position within the State Personnel Office. It mandates agencies to develop policies identifying and reducing institutional racism, track racial data for workforce equity, and provide annual reports and anti-racism training for all state employees. The bill directly affects all state agencies and employees covered by the Personnel Act, requiring them to implement diversity strategies targeting underserved communities. Key mechanisms include establishing diversity liaisons, creating a Workforce Diversity Council, and setting measurable goals to improve representation and inclusion.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 293 requires developers to complete a housing study before applying for tax increment development projects in New Mexico. The study must estimate housing demand from new "economic base jobs" expected to result from the project, including job types like regional headquarters or services generating out-of-state revenue. This requirement applies to all applicants seeking tax increment funding under the Tax Increment for Development Act. The bill adds this step to the application process without changing existing tax increment rules or funding mechanisms. (Note: The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.)
Maddy summarySB 260 appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Environment for assessing and cleaning up abandoned or neglected contaminated sites, including former uranium mines, where no responsible party exists to pay for cleanup. The funding is available for use over fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2028. This bill directly affects state taxpayers through the funding mechanism and communities near contaminated sites by enabling cleanup actions that lack private funding. The key provision is the dedicated state funding to address environmental hazards at sites with no viable cleanup funding source.
Maddy summarySB 367 would appropriate $350,000 from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center for a Spanish-language medical curriculum. The funds would support curriculum development and implementation through the Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, directly benefiting health sciences students preparing for healthcare roles in Spanish-speaking communities. The program would operate during fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by year-end 2027. This bill focuses on enhancing language training for future healthcare providers without altering existing healthcare policies or regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 149 establishes a legal framework for supported decision-making agreements in New Mexico, allowing adults (18+) with disabilities to voluntarily partner with supporters to help them understand options and make their own life decisions. The bill requires agreements to be in writing, signed by both parties without coercion, and specifies that supporters may only assist - never make decisions for - the supported individual. Key provisions include a presumption of capacity for all adults (regardless of disability), prohibitions against supporters making decisions or self-dealing, and clear limits on information access. The law also creates a state program within the Office of Guardianship to oversee these agreements and protects third parties who rely on them in good faith.
Maddy summaryHB 467 requires New Mexico public schools to update discipline policies to prohibit unequal treatment based on race, religion, cultural expression (including protective hairstyles and religious headwear), disability, or home language. It mandates schools to provide an online portal for reporting racially motivated incidents (with privacy protections), ban corporal punishment, and allow students to self-administer prescribed asthma/anaphylaxis medication under specific conditions. The bill also revises bilingual education program requirements to prioritize home language use in instruction, require culturally specific teacher training, and establish parent advisory committees. These changes directly affect all public K-12 schools and students in New Mexico, aiming to create safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Maddy summarySB 512 (2025) amends New Mexico's Surprise Billing Protection Act to update how health insurance carriers calculate reimbursements for nonparticipating healthcare providers. It changes the benchmarking period from using 2017 claims data to using data from the calendar year two years prior to when the service was provided. The bill maintains that reimbursement rates must reflect the 60th percentile of commercial rates for similar services in the same specialty and geographic area, with a floor of 150% of the Medicare rate for that service. This directly affects nonparticipating providers who receive surprise billing claims and insurers responsible for payments under the law. The bill passed committee review but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow retired protective service workers (such as police officers and firefighters) in New Mexico to return to work for their former public employer after a 12-month waiting period following retirement. During reemployment, their retirement pension would be suspended but would automatically resume upon leaving the position. The bill specifically prohibits these workers from accruing new retirement service credit or making contributions during their return to work. This change applies only to protective service workers, not other public employees covered under the retirement system.
Maddy summarySB 407, the "Wrongful Conviction Compensation and Services Act," creates a legal pathway for New Mexicans whose convictions were overturned or pardoned to seek compensation. It requires courts to award specific damages: $100,000 per year for death penalty cases, $75,000 per year for incarceration, and $50,000 per year for parole/probation, plus economic losses like unpaid child support and attorney fees. To qualify, individuals must prove their conviction was overturned based on new evidence or a court finding they didn’t commit the crime, with strict standards to exclude cases involving self-inflicted convictions. The bill establishes a dedicated compensation fund and mandates clear procedural steps for filing petitions in district court.
Maddy summarySB 38 creates a new Office of Special Education within New Mexico's Public Education Department, headed by a deputy secretary appointed for expertise in special education. The bill reorganizes oversight by moving the State Special Education Ombud from the Developmental Disabilities Council to the Public Education Department and transfers certain federal funding to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department. The Office will oversee school district compliance with federal special education law (IDEA), monitor student progress, develop transition plans for students with disabilities, and coordinate services across state agencies. It directly affects students with disabilities, school districts, and state education agencies by establishing new oversight structures and requiring annual training for school staff on special education requirements. The law also mandates updates to state special education policy plans every three years.