Sen. Nicole Tobiassen

Maddy summarySB 175 prohibits courts from awarding punitive damages in medical malpractice cases. The bill directly affects patients who might seek punitive damages and healthcare providers who would no longer face liability for such awards. It amends New Mexico's Medical Malpractice Act to explicitly state that "punitive damages or any other exemplary damages shall not be awarded in a malpractice claim," effective January 1, 2027. This changes the legal standard by removing the possibility of punitive damages in these cases, which were previously permitted under the existing law.

Maddy summarySB 32 extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases to six years from when the crime is reported to law enforcement. It increases the age of protection for victims of child sexual exploitation by prostitution from 16 to 18 years, making it a crime to profit from children under 18 in such acts. The bill adds human trafficking and child exploitation victims to the Victims of Crime Act, defines "harm" to include psychological and financial impacts, and prohibits reduced sentences for human trafficking convictions. These changes directly affect victims, prosecutors, and defendants in human trafficking cases across New Mexico.

Maddy summarySB 78 would change New Mexico law to include nuclear energy as a renewable energy source for public utilities and rural electric cooperatives. The bill amends definitions to specifically list nuclear facilities (using fission or fusion without carbon emissions during generation) as a qualifying "renewable energy resource." This means nuclear power would count toward the state's renewable energy requirements under current law. The change directly affects how utilities calculate compliance with New Mexico's renewable portfolio standards.

Maddy summarySB 79 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Health for mosquito surveillance, prevention, and control efforts during fiscal years 2027 and 2028. The bill specifically allows the Department to distribute up to $1.5 million in grants to local governments and state educational institutions for mosquito-related projects. Any unspent funds by the end of 2028 must return to the general fund. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, directly supporting public health agencies and local entities managing mosquito risks.

Maddy summarySB 55 increases New Mexico's income tax credit for solar energy installations to 30% of the cost (up from 10%), with a maximum annual credit of $15,000 per taxpayer. It applies directly to homeowners, businesses, and agricultural operations that install qualifying solar thermal or photovoltaic systems in New Mexico. Taxpayers can transfer their unused credit to another taxpayer, and the state will cap total annual credits at $30 million to prevent overspending. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and expires for tax years ending before 2032.

Maddy summaryHB 76 appropriates $10 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for fiscal years 2027-2029 to fund alternative placements for youth in state custody. The bill directs funding toward developing services like residential treatment centers, crisis response teams, specialized foster care, and outpatient programs, aiming to replace group living (congregate care) with more tailored support. It directly affects youth in state custody - particularly older youth and those with higher needs - and the service providers who will deliver these alternatives. The funding expires in 2029, with unused balances reverting to the general fund.

Maddy summaryHB 194 expands New Mexico's Metropolitan Redevelopment Program to include areas with housing shortages, defined as locations experiencing affordable housing scarcity, rising costs, or low vacancy rates. The bill allows redevelopment projects in these areas to include qualifying multifamily housing and exempts such properties from property taxation for up to 20 years. This directly affects developers and property owners building or maintaining affordable housing in designated shortage areas. The policy aims to increase housing supply by reducing financial barriers for developers in regions with critical housing needs.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 27 expands New Mexico's Technology Jobs and Research & Development Tax Credit by broadening the definition of "qualified expenditure" to include property owned by municipalities or counties for industrial revenue bond projects. This change directly affects technology companies and research facilities in New Mexico that qualify for the credit, allowing them to claim tax credits for costs related to local government-owned facilities used in qualifying R&D activities. The bill modifies existing tax code definitions to include these previously excluded property costs, without altering the credit's base eligibility criteria or calculation method. The amendment applies to businesses meeting standard requirements under the Technology Jobs and R&D Tax Credit Act, such as conducting qualified research in New Mexico facilities.

Maddy summarySB 101 repeals a delayed repeal of New Mexico's Health Care Delivery and Access Act (enacted in 2024). It specifically removes Section 13 of Laws 2024, Chapter 41, which had postponed the original act's repeal. This action restores the full provisions of the Health Care Delivery and Access Act, meaning it directly affects healthcare providers and patients covered under the original legislation. The bill does not change the act's content but ensures it remains in effect without further delay.