Sen. Jay Block

Maddy summarySB 176 sets new limits on recoverable damages in New Mexico medical malpractice cases, capping total non-punitive awards per injury based on provider type and year (e.g., $750,000 for hospitals in 2022, rising to $6 million by 2027 with annual inflation adjustments). It requires payments from the Patient Compensation Fund to be made as medical expenses occur, directs 75% of punitive damages to the state, and creates a Patient Safety Improvement Fund. The bill also limits attorney fees in malpractice claims and adjusts caps annually using the consumer price index. These changes directly affect patients filing malpractice suits, healthcare providers, and the state’s compensation and safety funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 184 would remove income limits that currently restrict which New Mexico residents can exclude Social Security income from state income tax. The bill amends Section 7-2-5.14 of New Mexico's tax code to eliminate the $75,000 (single filers), $100,000 (single), and $150,000 (joint filers) income caps, allowing all Social Security recipients to fully exclude their benefits from state taxation. This change directly affects New Mexico residents receiving Social Security benefits, regardless of their total income level. The policy would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 274 amends New Mexico law to classify trafficking fentanyl as a first-degree felony, mandating a life prison sentence. It directly affects individuals who traffic fentanyl - defined as distributing, selling, or possessing with intent to distribute - by elevating the offense from potentially lower felony classifications. The bill modifies sentencing statutes to explicitly list "first degree felony for trafficking fentanyl" with a mandatory life term, removing judicial discretion for this specific crime. This change applies to all offenses involving fentanyl trafficking, regardless of prior convictions, and excludes drug-free school zones from additional sentencing enhancements.

Maddy summarySB 285, titled "EXEMPT TIPS FROM INCOME TAX," would exempt tips received by New Mexico residents as compensation for services (e.g., from servers, bartenders) from being included in taxable income. The bill directs that tips earned as part of wages or compensation would not count toward net income for tax purposes. This change would apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, directly affecting service industry workers who rely on tips. The bill does not alter minimum wage requirements or tip-sharing rules, focusing solely on tax treatment of tip income.

Maddy summarySB 341 would impose the death penalty in New Mexico for three specific offenses: causing a child's death through willful neglect/abuse, causing a child's death while committing drug-related felonies, or causing a law enforcement officer's death during a felony. The bill requires a unanimous jury decision for a death sentence, mandates consideration of aggravating factors (like prior abuse or gang ties), and allows mitigating circumstances to reduce the sentence to life without parole. It includes due process protections such as legal representation, a separate sentencing hearing, and automatic appeal to the Supreme Court. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 448 (New Mexico Senate Bill 448) allows small employers with 50 or fewer employees to choose not to withhold income tax from their employees' wages. Instead, these employers must notify the state tax department and inform employees that they are responsible for making their own quarterly estimated tax payments. The bill applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and directly affects small businesses and their employees by shifting tax withholding responsibility. It does not change tax rates or liability but modifies the withholding process for qualifying employers. The bill is currently pending before committees after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 484 creates a new Government Accountability to Taxpayer Office within New Mexico's executive branch to improve state agency efficiency. The office will conduct performance audits of state agencies and programs, identify waste or inefficiencies, and recommend improvements for implementation. It must issue an annual report to the legislature by November 1 each year, detailing findings and monitoring how agencies act on its suggestions. The office, led by a governor-appointed executive director (confirmed by the Senate), can access non-confidential agency records and subpoena witnesses for audits.

Maddy summarySB 454 modifies retirement credit requirements for New Mexico public safety employees. It increases credited service by 20% for qualifying state police, correctional officers, probation officers, and fire members who were employed or retired by June 30, 2013, to help them meet retirement eligibility. The bill adjusts age and service requirements for municipal police retirement plans (Plans 1-4) to align with these changes. Effective dates vary: probation officers saw adjustments starting July 1, 2021, while fire members' changes apply from July 1, 2024. The bill is pending before the Senate committees after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 476 exempts first responders with at least 20 years of service (including law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs) from paying premiums or fees to participate in New Mexico's Retiree Health Care Act. The bill modifies existing law (Section 10-7C-13) to remove this financial requirement for qualifying retirees. It appropriates $7.5 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to cover the cost of this exemption, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 423 requires the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze the costs and impacts of "major rules" (those costing $10 million+ annually or significantly affecting industries/communities) before they take effect. It mandates that all state agency rules must receive the governor’s approval and automatically expire after five years unless renewed by the legislature. The bill also defines "major rules" and requires agencies to provide detailed cost-benefit analyses, including effects on state revenue, compliance costs, and alternatives. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations, the governor, and legislative committees managing rule oversight. The changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in rulemaking.