Sen. Michael Padilla

Maddy summarySB 169 provides a temporary cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 1.68% annually for certain retired New Mexico public employees starting July 1, 2026, covering fiscal years 2027 and 2028. This applies to normal retirees over age 65 with at least two years of retirement, disability retirees, and eligible survivor beneficiaries. Additionally, the bill includes a higher 2.5% COLA for specific subgroups: retirees with 25+ years of service and pensions under $25,000, disability retirees in that pension bracket, and retirees who turned 75 before 2020. The $10 million appropriation from the state general fund covers these adjustments, with unspent funds remaining in the retirement system.

Maddy summarySB 107 appropriates $20 million from the general fund annually to fund after-school and enrichment programs for school-age youth across New Mexico. The bill allocates $10 million specifically for school districts, charter schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and tribally controlled schools, and $10 million for nonprofit community organizations providing such programs. Unspent funds at year-end will not revert to the general fund, ensuring ongoing support for these services. This bill directly affects students in public schools and community-based programs by expanding access to structured out-of-school time activities.

Maddy summarySB 52 (PERA Cost-of-Living Adjustments) changes how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated for New Mexico public retirement pension recipients. It requires that starting July 1, 2027, pension increases equal the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) COLA rate determined by the federal government each year, instead of the previous method. This directly affects retirees who meet specific duration requirements (e.g., retired for 2 years, or age 65+ for 1 year), as well as survivor beneficiaries. The bill appropriates $50 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to fund these adjustments, with unspent funds carrying forward to future years.

Maddy summarySB 140 sets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services in New Mexico: $23.50 per hour for consumer-delegated services (where the agency manages care) and $19.78 per hour for consumer-directed services (where recipients control care). It requires providers receiving Medicaid funds to spend at least 70% of that reimbursement on direct care worker costs, including wages, benefits, training, and supervision. The bill also appropriates $51.4 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to implement these changes. This directly affects personal care service agencies contracted with Medicaid to provide in-home care for individuals needing assistance with daily living activities.

Maddy summarySB 77 requires construction companies working on most state-funded public works projects (like buildings or infrastructure) to pay into apprentice and training programs or a state fund. This applies to all public construction projects except those involving trades not recognized as apprenticeable by federal standards. Employers must contribute the same amount required by existing wage rate rules, verified through payroll reports. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects contractors bidding on New Mexico government construction projects.

Maddy summarySB 92 creates a tax deduction for businesses selling construction materials and labor used in affordable multifamily housing projects in New Mexico. It directly affects developers and contractors building housing that qualifies as "affordable" (defined as units for households earning ≤80% of the area median income) and sold to qualifying grant recipients under the Affordable Housing Act. The deduction reduces taxable gross receipts for these specific sales until July 1, 2033, and requires the tax cost to be tracked in the state budget. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJR 5) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Mexico’s legislature to limit annual increases in the assessed value of **residential property** for property tax purposes. It would amend the state constitution to authorize rules restricting how much a home’s taxable value can rise each year, potentially based on factors like owner-occupancy, homeowner age, or income. These limits could apply statewide or be chosen by local governments, with tax rates applied to the property’s full value if the limit isn’t used. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election. (Note: The bill title incorrectly states "nonresidential"; the text specifically addresses residential property.)

Maddy summarySB 81 allocates $25 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority for primary care capital projects, such as facility construction or equipment upgrades. This funding directly supports primary care facilities (like clinics and community health centers) across New Mexico by providing capital resources. The bill specifies that unspent funds from this allocation will not return to the general fund at year-end, ensuring continued availability for future projects. The appropriation is set for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years, enabling long-term planning for primary care infrastructure needs.

Maddy summaryHB 148 creates a temporary 5% annual cap on increases in property tax valuations for nonresidential properties (like offices or stores) from 2026 through 2036, affecting commercial property owners. It also updates requirements for residential property transfers, mandating that sellers or buyers submit an affidavit with specific details (names, sale price, property description) to county assessors within 30 days of a transfer, but excluding many common transactions like family transfers, government deals, or leases. The bill explicitly states these affidavits are for statistical use only and cannot be used in property valuation. Exceptions to the valuation cap include new properties, expansions after disasters, or changes in property zoning.

Maddy summarySB 97 expands New Mexico's Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit by including property owned by municipalities or counties for industrial revenue bond projects as eligible "qualified expenditures." This change directly affects tech businesses and research facilities that use such municipal-owned property for their operations, allowing them to claim tax credits for related costs. The bill amends the existing tax credit definition to remove a current exclusion for these specific property expenditures. It does not alter the credit's calculation method or eligibility thresholds for businesses. The policy change aims to broaden access to the tax credit for qualifying tech investments funded through local government bonds.