Maddy summarySB 10, the Anti-Hazing Act, requires all public and private New Mexico colleges and universities to establish a hazing prevention committee, adopt a code of conduct, and provide annual hazing prevention education to students. The bill defines hazing broadly as any act during recruitment, membership, or group activities that causes bodily danger, physical harm, or serious psychological harm - including forced consumption of substances - but excludes normal athletic events. It makes hazing a misdemeanor, prohibits student organizations from permitting hazing (with potential liability for damages), and requires students who haze to forfeit state-funded financial aid. Additionally, staff who fail to report hazing they witness or learn about face penalties.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 322 restricts strip or cavity searches in New Mexico juvenile detention facilities to cases with probable cause for dangerous contraband and superintendent authorization. It requires detailed incident reports documenting the search rationale, methods, and results, and mandates that searches use the least invasive approach possible. The bill also prohibits cameras or filming in shower and toilet areas of detention facilities to protect youth privacy. These provisions directly affect juvenile detention facilities and the children held within them.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 1) proposes a procedural rule for New Mexico senators, prohibiting alcohol consumption during Senate floor sessions or committee meetings. It directly affects only senators serving in the New Mexico Legislature, not the general public. The rule would amend Senate Rule 7-21 to explicitly ban senators from consuming alcohol before or during official legislative sessions. The resolution was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and did not become law.
Maddy summarySB 68 updates New Mexico's Graduate Scholarship Act to expand access for graduate students. It removes the requirement that recipients be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident visas, lowers the minimum enrollment from full-time to six credit hours per semester, and adds a requirement of a bachelor's degree with a 3.0 GPA or a paid faculty support position. Scholarships now cover up to 100% of tuition and fees (replacing a fixed $7,200 annual amount), while maintaining priority for New Mexico residents with financial need and those from underrepresented groups in graduate education. The bill applies to students enrolled in eligible New Mexico graduate programs at accredited state universities.
Maddy summarySB 248 lowers the threshold for reporting lobbying-related spending from $100 to $50 per transaction. It requires lobbyists and their employers to electronically report all expenditures over $50 - including meals, entertainment, and other costs - categorized by type. The bill directly affects lobbyists and their employers who influence state legislation, officials, or ballot issues. Key provisions expand transparency by mandating detailed, itemized reports on spending that previously wasn’t required to be disclosed. These changes aim to provide greater public insight into how lobbying funds are used.
Maddy summaryHB 489 establishes a confidential online portal for reporting racial incidents in New Mexico schools, allowing students, families, and staff to submit reports without public disclosure. The Black Education Liaison must maintain this portal and provide links to policy briefs, resources on historically Black colleges, and materials supporting equitable education for Black students. This directly affects Black students, schools, and the New Mexico Public Education Department by creating a dedicated system to address racial discrimination and improve educational outcomes. The portal's submissions are confidential and exempt from public records requests under the bill.
Maddy summarySJR 4 proposes adding a new constitutional right to clean air, water, soil, healthy ecosystems, a safe climate, and preserved natural/cultural environments for all New Mexicans. It would require state, county, and municipal governments to act as trustees of natural resources for current and future generations. The amendment is self-executing (taking effect without further laws) but prohibits monetary damages for violations. This resolution, currently stalled after being postponed indefinitely in June 2025, must be approved by voters at the next general election to become part of New Mexico's constitution.
Maddy summarySB 74 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases in New Mexico, meaning prosecutors can pursue charges at any time after the crime occurs. It also raises the age for "sexual exploitation of children by prostitution" from 16 to 18 years old and adds human trafficking to the definition of "racketeering." The bill prohibits certain defenses in human trafficking prosecutions and expands protections for victims under the Victims of Crime Act. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and is currently inactive.
Maddy summaryHB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, requires New Mexico public libraries to adopt policies preventing the banning of library materials based on content, author's race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or political/religious views. Libraries must follow either the American Library Association's 2019 Library Bill of Rights or a state-approved policy explicitly prohibiting such bans to receive state funding. The law also prohibits local governments from reducing a library's funding for complying with these policies. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to protect diverse library collections and access for all patrons.
Maddy summarySB 178 creates a 5-cent fee per barrel on produced water from oil and gas wells in New Mexico, collected from operators (with limited exemptions for water used in enhanced oil recovery, recycling at permitted facilities, or regulated water quality uses). The revenue funds the "Plugging and Remediating Abandoned Wells Fund," managed by the Oil Conservation Division to plug abandoned wells and clean up sites. The fee must be paid monthly by the 25th, with reporting requirements for water volume. This policy directly affects oil and gas operators and aims to address environmental risks from inactive wells.