Sen. Heather Berghmans

Maddy summaryHB 200 creates the "New Homes for New Mexico Program" to provide interest-free loans for first-time homebuyers purchasing newly built starter homes from approved developers. The program targets buyers earning below 120% of the area median income for a family of four, requiring the home to be their primary residence and limiting starter homes to 1,800 square feet on lots under 5,000 square feet. Loans up to $50,000 (or $75,000 in high-cost counties like Los Alamos, Santa Fe, or Taos) must be repaid if the home is sold or stops being the primary residence. The program is funded by a $25 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 58 extends the property tax exemption period for project property in metropolitan redevelopment areas from seven to fourteen years for properties acquired by local governments on or after January 1, 1986. During this extended period, lessees and owners of substantial beneficial interests must pay annual amounts equal to the property taxes that would have been due if the property were not exempt, based on the valuation from the year before acquisition. The county treasurer collects these payments and distributes them as if they were regular property taxes. This change applies only to properties acquired after 1986, leaving existing rules for properties acquired before that date unchanged.

Maddy summarySB 40, the "Driver Privacy and Safety Act," limits how law enforcement and private entities can share automated license plate reader (ALPR) data. It prohibits sharing ALPR information for immigration enforcement, investigating protected health care activities (like reproductive or gender-affirming care), or targeting constitutionally protected speech. The law makes ALPR data confidential (not public record), requires court orders for private data sales, and mandates quarterly reports to the attorney general on out-of-state data requests. Violations can result in $10,000 fines per incident.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial (SM 21) requests New Mexico's Department of Health to study the potential implementation of overdose prevention centers. It directs the health department to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing drug overdose deaths - particularly in communities disproportionately impacted like Native American and Black residents - and identify necessary legal and regulatory changes. The study must be completed by November 2026, with a report submitted to the legislative health committee and finance committee. This is a procedural request for analysis, not a law that would immediately create such centers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial (SM 3) requests six New Mexico state agencies - including the Department of Game and Fish, State Land Office, and Department of Agriculture - to attend a 2026 workshop on insect identification, ecology, and management. Sponsored by the Wild Friends program, UNM Museum of Southwestern Biology, and the Xerces Society, the workshop aims to educate agency staff about insects' ecological roles (like pollination and soil health) and encourage sharing public-facing materials to reduce misconceptions about insects. The memorial is non-binding and focuses on voluntary agency participation to support ecosystem awareness.

Maddy summaryHB 2 creates a state Health Care Affordability Fund to lower health insurance costs for New Mexicans. It provides premium subsidies for residents purchasing coverage through New Mexico's health insurance exchange (with priority for those earning under 200% of the federal poverty level) and for small businesses. The fund also covers part of premiums for state employees earning $50,000 or less and New Mexico National Guard members. If federal health care laws change to reduce coverage, the fund can maintain access to affordable plans for low-income residents.

Maddy summarySB 84 (2025 New Mexico Senate Bill) clarifies how the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) shares information about child abuse and neglect. It requires CYFD to share details about child fatalities or near-fatalities, protects clients' personal contact information (like addresses and phone numbers), and mandates that courts issue written orders (which can be appealed) to exclude media from abuse/neglect hearings. The bill also requires CYFD to publish specific reports on its website and establishes penalties for violations. It directly affects CYFD staff, courts handling child welfare cases, and media organizations seeking access to proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 458 proposes creating a nine-member "Secretary of Children, Youth and Families Nominating Committee" to vet candidates for New Mexico's top child welfare position. The committee, appointed by legislative leaders, the governor, and the chief justice, would submit a list of qualified nominees (with geographical diversity) to the governor for the secretary role, replacing the current appointment process. The bill also includes other child welfare provisions, such as requiring foster care prevention services meeting federal standards and transferring some administrative duties. However, the bill was "DO NOT PASS" by committees and postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 17 creates a 9-member commission to study factors driving high grocery costs in New Mexico, focusing on essential items like milk, eggs, produce, and bread. The commission must evaluate supply chains, price gouging laws, local food production support, and federal trade impacts, then submit specific recommendations by November 15, 2025. It is funded with $400,000 from the general fund to conduct this study, with members required to represent diverse backgrounds and expertise. The bill does not enact new laws but mandates a report to guide future policy.

Maddy summarySB 294 increases New Mexico's child income tax credit for qualifying children under age six by doubling the existing credit amount for this age group. The bill adjusts the credit tiers (e.g., $600 becomes $1,200 for incomes under $25,000) based on household income, with automatic annual inflation adjustments using the Consumer Price Index. It directly affects New Mexico residents with young children who qualify for the credit under federal guidelines. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, and requires the state department to report on the credit's implementation and cost.