Sen. Mimi Stewart

Maddy summarySB 422 appropriates $5 million from the state general fund to provide operational funding and technical assistance grants to nonprofit organizations offering affordable housing, homelessness services, or transitional housing in New Mexico. The funds, to be administered by the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority, are allocated for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Any unspent balance by the end of 2030 would revert to the general fund. This bill directly supports nonprofit housing providers through direct financial assistance and capacity-building resources.

Maddy summaryHB 306 allocates $2 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Crime Victims Reparation Commission for sexual assault services programs during fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects organizations providing these services by funding their operations, with any unspent funds reverting to the state treasury by year-end. It contains no new policy provisions - only a funding mechanism for existing programs. The bill was introduced by Representatives Lujan, Stewart, and Garratt but was postponed indefinitely by the House on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 508 requires most health insurance plans in New Mexico to cover specific healthcare services without cost sharing (like copays or deductibles). It mandates coverage for abortion care, gender-affirming care, and contraception as outlined in federal guidelines, along with preventive services like immunizations and women's screenings. The bill also creates a special enrollment period for pregnant individuals and eliminates prior authorization for these services. High-deductible health plans are exempt until the policyholder meets their deductible, except where federal law allows. This bill directly affects insurance providers, healthcare facilities, and enrollees seeking these covered services.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a New Mexico program providing partial wage replacement for eligible workers taking leave for specific reasons, including bonding with a new child (birth, adoption, or foster placement), caring for a family member with a serious health condition, taking leave for the employee's own serious health condition, military family needs related to a spouse's deployment, or protection from domestic violence. Administered by the Workforce Solutions Department, the program would be funded through a new state leave fund and cover both employees and self-employed individuals who meet eligibility criteria. It sets time limits on leave duration, excludes certain workers (such as those covered by federal railroad laws), and preempts other similar local programs. The bill defines "family member" broadly to include domestic partners and other close relationships, ensuring coverage for diverse household situations.

Maddy summarySB 307, the Child Ombud Act, creates a new Office of Child Ombud within New Mexico's court system to independently review child welfare services. The ombud, appointed by a nine-member committee with child welfare expertise, will investigate complaints about the state's child welfare department, review policies protecting children's rights, and operate a toll-free hotline for families. Key provisions include requiring the ombud to investigate cases involving children in state custody, provide annual reports to lawmakers, and compile data on fatalities or near-fatalities. This office directly affects children in state custody, families receiving child welfare services, and the state department responsible for child protection.

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.

Maddy summarySB 404 strengthens privacy protections for patient health records in New Mexico by requiring healthcare providers and institutions to segregate sensitive information, such as reproductive health care and gender-affirming care details, from general health records. It prohibits disclosing this segregated information without explicit consent, repealing a prior requirement to report induced abortions. The bill directly affects healthcare entities, including hospitals, clinics, and insurers, that handle patient data. Key provisions define "health care information" broadly to include mental/physical health records and explicitly protect reproductive and gender-affirming care data from unauthorized sharing.

Maddy summarySB 49 would transfer $340 million from New Mexico's Community Benefit Fund to support economic development, renewable energy, transportation infrastructure, conservation, and workforce training. The funds would be allocated to state departments for non-fossil fuel economic development (including aerospace, biosciences, and green industries), energy efficiency projects, bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, conservation efforts, renewable energy technology grants, and training programs to help workers transition from extractive industries. All funds must be spent by 2028, with unspent balances reverting to the Community Benefit Fund. The bill's implementation depends on the prior creation of the Community Benefit Fund and sufficient funding for it.

Maddy summarySB 238 appropriates $1.45 million from the general fund for a digital platform providing behavioral health support to New Mexico public school students. The platform must offer online educational resources, pre-moderated peer support, and private sessions with licensed professionals. It requires the selected provider to have prior experience serving public school students in other states. Unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2026 will return to the general fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $250,000 annually from New Mexico's general fund to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission for its activities, with unspent funds carried forward to future fiscal years instead of reverting to the general fund. It directly affects the commission's budget operations by providing dedicated, ongoing funding for its work. The bill is procedural, establishing a funding mechanism rather than creating new policy or regulations. It does not specify particular activities the commission must undertake, only authorizing the allocation.