Sen. Natalie Figueroa

Maddy summarySB 151 adjusts New Mexico's corporate tax calculation to better align with federal rules for certain income types. It modifies the state's definition of "base income" by adding back specific federal deductions (like interest from state bonds) and subtracting amounts for bonus depreciation and interest expenses that the federal government allows. This bill directly affects corporations operating in New Mexico that file federal tax returns, particularly those with income from controlled foreign corporations. The key change ensures New Mexico's tax calculation accounts for federal adjustments related to foreign income and depreciation, while applying standard apportionment rules to attributed income.

Maddy summarySB 73 requires all approved driver education courses in New Mexico schools to include at least three hours of training on driving with vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, and wheelchair users. This directly affects driver education schools, instructors, and students in public and private secondary schools across the state. The bill amends existing laws to mandate this specific training component as part of minimum course standards. It defines "vulnerable road users" broadly to include anyone not protected by a vehicle's structure, like those on bikes, scooters, or walking. The policy change aims to improve road safety awareness through standardized curriculum updates.

Maddy summaryHB 47 amends New Mexico law to change how school districts and charter schools cover insurance costs for their employees. It requires these entities to pay at least 80% of insurance costs for employees earning under $50,000 annually, 70% for those earning $50,000-$60,000, and 60% for those earning over $60,000. The bill also mandates a study on the long-term sustainability of these insurance programs and includes provisions for cost-containment measures in health benefit plans. This directly affects public school employees and school districts across New Mexico, shifting their contribution responsibilities compared to current law.

Maddy summaryHJM 2 is a joint memorial requesting New Mexico's Attorney General to create a task force to study how effectively the state's Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) provides public access to government records. The task force must gather input from stakeholders - including courts, local governments, media, civil liberties groups, and legal experts - to evaluate IPRA's clarity, transparency, and public accountability impact. It will determine if legislative changes are needed to improve the law, with proposed changes to be considered by the 58th Legislature. This procedural resolution directly affects state agencies handling public records and aims to strengthen government transparency through a formal review process.

Maddy summaryHB 30 modifies New Mexico's Teacher Residency Act by setting stipends for teaching residents as a percentage of the minimum salary for entry-level teachers (35% for undergraduates, 80% for those with bachelor's degrees). It allows teaching residents to work at any public school after completing their residency, not just the sponsoring district, and requires partner districts or charter schools to offer employment based on staffing needs and performance. This directly affects teaching residents, public school districts, and charter schools participating in the residency program. The bill updates payment structures and employment rules to increase flexibility for residents and districts.

Maddy summaryHB 66 updates New Mexico's health professional loan repayment program. It creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients of loan repayment awards, replacing the previous commission. The bill requires applicants to be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or to agree to relocate and begin practice there. The Higher Education Department will determine award amounts and administer the program, with new criteria for selecting applicants and allowing fees if recipients breach their service agreements. This affects health professionals seeking repayment for education loans in exchange for practicing in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 34 updates New Mexico's school nurse licensure rules to clarify that charter schools must follow the same requirements as public school districts. It establishes three license levels: Level One (a 3-year provisional license requiring mentorship and annual evaluations for new nurses without 3+ years of experience), Level Two (a 9-year license for nurses who complete Level One or have 3+ years of experience), and Level Three (a 9-year license requiring advanced education and leadership skills). The bill sets minimum salaries for each level equal to corresponding teacher salary grades and mandates annual competency reviews by school districts or charter schools. These changes apply to all school nurses employed in New Mexico public and charter schools starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis memorial requests the creation of a work group to study the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) fund's solvency, focusing on factors affecting retiree benefits and cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). It directly affects approximately 30,000 New Mexico public retirees whose pensions have not kept pace with inflation since 2020 changes suspended COLAs and altered adjustment formulas. The work group will examine PERA's unfunded liability causes - such as investment underperformance and salary increases - evaluate COLA formulas tied to inflation, and recommend improvements to fund solvency without harming retiree benefits. The group, composed of finance experts and retirees, must report by December 2026. (Note: This is a procedural memorial requesting a study, not a policy change.)

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes removing a constitutional requirement that school elections in New Mexico must be held at separate times from partisan elections. If passed, it would allow school board elections to be scheduled concurrently with other partisan elections, directly affecting school districts and voters participating in local school governance. The key change is deleting the specific phrase "All school elections shall be held at different times from partisan elections" from Article 7, Section 1 of New Mexico's constitution. The amendment must be approved by voters at the next general election.

Maddy summarySB 46 establishes New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creating a streamlined process for physicians to obtain licenses in multiple participating states. It directly affects licensed physicians who wish to practice across state lines, particularly through telemedicine or in underserved areas. The key mechanism allows physicians with a "state of principal license" (their primary state) to receive an "expedited license" in other compact states without repeating full licensing requirements, while maintaining their primary license and jurisdiction. The compact complements existing state medical practice acts and does not change a state's authority to discipline licenses or require physicians to be licensed in the state where the patient is located during care.