Sen. Shannon Pinto

Maddy summarySB 242 appropriates $3 million from the general fund to the Children, Youth and Families Department for a field liaison position within the Office of Tribal Affairs. This liaison will ensure New Mexico's compliance with the state's Indian Family Protection Act and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. The bill directly affects Native American families and tribal communities by adding dedicated staff to monitor child welfare cases involving tribal children. It does not change existing laws but provides funding to strengthen oversight of current compliance requirements.

Maddy summarySB 225 appropriates $33 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2027 to establish tribal liaison programs in participating county clerk offices across New Mexico. The bill directly affects counties that choose to join the program and their Native American residents by requiring these offices to provide nonpartisan voter education, translation services, and voter registration drives. Key provisions include mandatory funding allocation for these specific services to ensure equal access to the electoral process, with any unspent funds reverting to the general fund by the end of 2027. The program aims to improve electoral participation for Native American communities through localized, county-level support.

Maddy summarySB 300 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) for fiscal year 2027 to upgrade computer hardware and software used in child welfare cases. The funds must be used for systems compatible with the national child welfare data management system operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects CYFD's technology infrastructure for managing child welfare cases, with no new policy requirements beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summarySB 248 appropriates $4 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to establish an Indian Affairs Commission. The commission's purpose is to facilitate communication and consultation between New Mexico's Indian nations, tribes, and pueblos and the federal government. The bill directly affects tribal nations within New Mexico by creating a state-led mechanism for federal coordination. Funding expires at year-end with unspent balances reverting to the general fund.

Maddy summarySB 216 allocates $500,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Public Education Department for fiscal year 2027 to issue certificates to individuals proficient in Native American languages and cultures of tribes, pueblos, or Indian nations located wholly or partially within New Mexico. The bill directly affects residents who demonstrate proficiency in these languages and cultures, aiming to recognize and support linguistic heritage. Key provisions include the specific funding amount, the requirement that unspent funds revert to the general fund by end of fiscal year 2027, and the focus on tribes/pueblos in New Mexico. This is a funding measure for certification, not a policy change affecting broader education standards or programs.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 30 requests the New Mexico Department of Transportation and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau to study safety and maintenance issues on U.S. Highway 491. The study must analyze road conditions, traffic patterns (including commercial trucks, school buses, and pedestrians), accident data, environmental hazards like sandstorms, and enforcement practices. It requires specific data collection on mile-by-mile road conditions, traffic counts, accident locations, and enforcement stops, with recommendations due by November 2026. The study directly affects drivers, school children traveling along the route, pedestrians, and the Navajo Nation, which shares jurisdiction over the highway corridor. This procedural request does not enact new laws but seeks data to inform future safety improvements.

Maddy summarySB 257 requires New Mexico's Department of Environment to prioritize the disposal of hazardous waste generated within the state when issuing, renewing, or modifying hazardous waste permits. This applies specifically to disposal facilities seeking permits under the state's Hazardous Waste Act. The bill amends permit regulations to mandate that the department consider a permittee's capacity to accept and prioritize state-generated waste during these permit decisions. It does not change existing waste standards or fees but modifies how permit approvals are evaluated.

Maddy summarySB 301 appropriates $4 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department for the Foster Engagement Adaptability Diversity Initiative Program. The program provides culturally competent training services for foster parents caring for Native American children, aligning with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 and state law. This funding is specifically for fiscal year 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. The bill directly supports foster parents in meeting legal requirements for culturally informed care, rather than providing direct financial aid to children or families.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial (SM 29) requests the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center to study communication barriers in New Mexico's healthcare system, particularly language access gaps affecting patients. It directs UNM to coordinate with healthcare facilities statewide to identify obstacles preventing effective treatment and develop solutions, focusing on improving interpreter services and reducing disparities. The memorial does not create new laws but asks for data collection and strategy development to address existing gaps in care for patients with limited language proficiency.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 28 requests the Crime Victims Reparation Commission to create a statewide task force to study gun violence in New Mexico and develop recommendations. The task force would include representatives from state departments (like Public Safety and Health), tribal entities, law enforcement, health professionals, community groups, and gun advocates to examine root causes, review gun laws, promote education, and identify evidence-based prevention strategies. It must report findings to legislative committees and the governor by the end of the session. The bill does not enact new laws but initiates a study process to address New Mexico’s high gun violence rates and associated costs.