Sen. Moe Maestas

Maddy summarySB 153 creates a new crime called "home invasion" for unlawful entry into a dwelling while an occupant is present, with intent to commit a felony or theft. It specifically targets intruders who are armed with a deadly weapon, become armed after entering, or commit threatening acts causing reasonable fear of immediate harm. The bill amends existing aggravated burglary law by removing "dwelling" as a specific category, meaning aggravated burglary now applies to vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, or other structures (not just homes). This law directly affects individuals entering homes unlawfully and will guide prosecutors and courts in classifying such offenses as a second-degree felony.

Maddy summarySB 312 restricts who can appeal zoning decisions in New Mexico by limiting appeals to property owners with an ownership interest in the specific property under review or in adjacent properties. The bill amends multiple zoning statutes (Sections 3-19-8, 3-21-4, 3-21-8, and 3-21-9 NMSA) to require this ownership interest as a prerequisite for filing an appeal. This change directly affects individuals or entities seeking to challenge zoning rulings, preventing non-owners (such as neighbors without adjacent property ownership or community groups) from appealing. The bill does not alter zoning rules themselves but modifies the eligibility for judicial review. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 443 would allow 18-year-olds to deliver and stock packaged alcoholic beverages (like bottles and cans) for licensed businesses, removing a previous requirement that they hold a commercial driver's license. This specifically affects young workers in alcohol delivery and stocking roles at licensed retailers, restaurants, or distributors. The bill amends existing rules to permit these tasks only when handling sealed, unbroken packages - excluding sampling or serving alcohol. It does not change age restrictions for serving alcohol or for minors in licensed premises. The bill was approved by committees but postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 467 amends New Mexico's expungement laws by removing the 30-day deadline for courts to issue expungement orders, eliminating the requirement to notify law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety in certain cases, and excluding embezzlement from offenses eligible for expungement. This bill directly affects individuals seeking to clear criminal records, particularly those convicted of embezzlement (who can no longer have records expunged) and others who previously faced procedural steps like court deadlines or law enforcement notifications. Key provisions streamline the process by removing specific administrative requirements while narrowing eligibility for expungement. These are concrete changes to both procedural rules and qualifying offenses under New Mexico's expungement statutes.

Maddy summarySB 40 requires individuals convicted of driving with a revoked license to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle and obtain an ignition interlock license. This license, valid for four or eight years, allows driving only with the IID installed, and the device may be removed without court approval. The bill also designates driving on a revoked license as a "case of record" in metropolitan court, making it subject to specific penalties under amended law. It affects people convicted of this offense, adding IID requirements to existing fines and potential jail time. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 250 prohibits New Mexico state and local agencies (including police, sheriffs, and jails) from using public funds, personnel, or resources to enforce federal immigration laws or assist federal agents in immigration enforcement activities. This directly affects law enforcement agencies by barring them from detaining individuals solely based on suspected immigration status or aiding federal immigration investigations. The bill also clarifies that jails holding individuals under federal criminal warrants must be paid for by the federal government, replacing a prior law that allowed state cost-sharing. It repeals outdated references to federal immigration enforcement in state statutes.

Maddy summarySB 310 would remove most building height restrictions and allow duplexes or townhouses in residential zones, except in historic districts. It also permits small neighborhood commercial uses (like local shops, cafes, or offices) in residential areas, provided they follow noise and traffic rules. Historic districts and designated "traditional historic communities" (created via a 25% elector petition) would remain exempt from these changes. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summarySB 313 prohibits New Mexico cities and counties from requiring minimum off-street parking spaces for new residential, commercial, or industrial developments. It specifically removes these requirements but allows local governments to maintain mandates for accessible parking spaces. The bill directly affects developers and local planning departments by changing zoning rules for new construction. It aims to reduce development costs and increase housing flexibility, though it does not apply to parking requirements for accessibility compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 426 requires mobile home park owners to provide residents with specific written notice before selling the park, including details of any third-party offer and the residents' right to purchase. The bill gives residents 90 days to form a cooperative group (with 51% approval), secure financing within an additional 90 days, and close the purchase within 270 days total - matching the third-party offer's terms. If residents meet these deadlines, the owner must negotiate in good faith and cannot delay or refuse the purchase. The bill also mandates owners to record compliance affidavits and imposes penalties (up to $100,000 or 20% of the park's value) for noncompliance, though it was postponed indefinitely in the Senate in June 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for knowingly possessing or transporting a firearm that was stolen (or believed to be stolen), unless the person intends to return it to the owner or participate in a buyback program. It directly affects individuals who possess stolen firearms, defining each firearm as a separate offense. The law specifies that "firearm" includes weapons designed to expel projectiles, and clarifies that a person charged under this bill cannot also be charged under a separate law for the same act if they are a convicted felon. Violating this law would be punishable as a fourth-degree felony.