Sen. Natalie Figueroa

Maddy summarySB 104 creates an interstate compact to allow audiologists and speech-language pathologists licensed in one state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "compact privilege" that recognizes existing licenses across member states, with practice governed by the patient's location (not the provider's home state). The bill aims to increase access to these services for patients, support military spouses relocating, and enable telehealth use, while requiring states to share disciplinary records to protect public safety. It does not change state licensing authority but streamlines cross-state practice for qualified professionals.

Maddy summarySB 107 establishes a STEM Center of Excellence at New Mexico State University (NMSU) focused on innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It creates a statewide STEM Innovation Network with NMSU as the principal hub, connecting up to eight regional hubs and tribal hubs for federally recognized tribes to improve access to STEM education and career opportunities. The bill requires the network to coordinate with schools, employers, and tribes, develop annual reports, and uses $6 million in state funds (2026-2028) to support its operations. This directly affects students, educators, tribal communities, and schools by expanding STEM pathways and collaboration across public institutions.

Maddy summarySB 133 increases the salary threshold for retired New Mexico educators returning to work without suspending their retirement benefits, from $15,000 to $25,000 annually. It directly affects retired teachers and school staff who want to return to part-time or full-time employment with school districts or related entities. The bill allows them to keep retirement benefits if they earn under $25,000 per year, provided they haven't worked for 90 days after retirement and have no pre-arranged employment agreements. This change simplifies the process for retirees seeking limited return-to-work opportunities while maintaining contribution requirements for health care and retirement funds.

Maddy summarySB 345 allows new teachers in New Mexico to use a portfolio instead of standardized exams to earn a Level One teaching license. It also creates reciprocity for instructional support staff (like counselors or librarians) who hold licenses in other states, enabling them to obtain Level Two or Three New Mexico licenses if they meet experience and competency requirements. The bill directly affects new teachers seeking initial certification and out-of-state instructional support staff aiming to work in New Mexico schools. Key mechanisms include replacing exam requirements with portfolio assessments for Level One licensure and establishing clear pathways for reciprocal licensing based on existing credentials.

Maddy summaryHB 195 establishes a tiered salary system for school nurses in New Mexico, aligning minimum salaries with corresponding teacher salary levels (e.g., level one nurses earn the same as level one teachers). It creates three license tiers: level one (provisional for new nurses), level two (experienced), and level three (advanced), requiring annual competency evaluations and mentorship for level one nurses. The bill also adds a "national board certification" program unit, giving school districts extra funding for nurses certified by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses, contingent on districts providing a salary differential. These changes directly affect public school nurses and districts, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through structured compensation and certification incentives.

Maddy summarySB 252 amends New Mexico's Telehealth Act to allow all licensed social workers to provide telehealth services. The bill directly affects licensed social workers in New Mexico who previously could not offer remote health care under the state's telehealth law. It adds "licensed social worker" to the list of defined "health care providers" eligible to deliver telehealth services, expanding access to remote mental health and counseling care. This change removes a previous barrier, enabling social workers to use video, phone, or digital tools for patient consultations without needing separate authorization. The bill was signed into law on April 8, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 16 allows New Mexico voters who have not registered with a major political party (or declined to choose one) to participate in primary elections. These voters can now select a major party's ballot on election day without changing their voter registration, simply by requesting it at the polls or on mail-in ballot applications. The bill amends election laws to ensure such voters are provided the option to affiliate with a major party for primary voting purposes, directly affecting those who previously could not vote in partisan primaries. This change applies to both in-person voting and mailed ballot requests for primary elections.

Maddy summarySB 387 establishes a competitive grant program to fund community schools in New Mexico, directly affecting public schools, school districts, and community partners. It provides $50,000 planning grants and up to $150,000 annually for three years per school to create initiatives that integrate academic support, health services, family engagement, and expanded learning time through community partnerships. Schools receiving funds must use evidence-based methods to measure success, provide staff training, and ensure operational flexibility to address student needs like attendance and college readiness. The bill renames the existing "Community Schools Fund" as the "Dr. Jeannie Oakes Memorial Community Schools Fund" to honor her contributions to education equity.

Maddy summarySB 75 amends New Mexico's Educational Retirement Act to clarify and update key retirement rules for public school employees and retirees. It requires unclaimed member contributions to be deposited into the retirement fund (Section 2), clarifies gift restrictions for board members (max $50 per gift, $150 yearly total), and allows disabled retirees over 60 to continue receiving annuity adjustments. The bill also updates cost-of-living adjustment rules based on the fund's financial health and streamlines requirements for minimum service years to qualify for benefits. These changes directly affect current and future educators in New Mexico's public school retirement system.