Sen. Shannon Pinto

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to clean up abandoned uranium mines and other contaminated sites across New Mexico where no responsible polluter exists to fund the work. It directly affects communities near these sites, particularly those impacted by historical uranium mining, by enabling the Department of Environment to conduct assessments and remediation. The funds will be used for cleanup actions during fiscal years 2027-2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2029. The legislation focuses solely on addressing existing contamination through state-funded cleanup, without altering liability or creating new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summarySJR 4 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would change New Mexico's legislative session rules. It would extend regular sessions in even-numbered years from 30 to 60 days and remove current restrictions that limit even-year sessions to only budget, appropriations, and revenue bills. The amendment also adds provisions allowing the legislature to consider veto overrides for bills from any session (regular, special, or extraordinary) within the same biennium. If passed, this would require voter approval at the next general election. This is a procedural change affecting how the legislature organizes its work, not a policy on specific issues.

Maddy summaryHB 29 appropriates $8 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Military Base Impact Fund for fiscal year 2027 and future years. This funding directly supports military bases in New Mexico by providing dedicated financial resources to address impacts from military operations. The bill ensures any unspent funds at year-end remain in the fund rather than reverting to the general budget. It establishes a permanent funding stream to help communities near military installations manage related costs.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 17 requests the Secretary of Public Safety and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs to form a task force to study sexual assault exam kit processing and backlog issues in New Mexico. The task force, including representatives from law enforcement, rape crisis centers, forensic labs, and survivor services, will examine current kit processing timelines and challenges. It must report by 2027 to legislative committees on progress, survivor service adequacy, and potential solutions. This memorial does not create new law but directs state agencies to address delays in processing evidence from sexual assault cases.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial (SM 27) acknowledges New Mexico residents affected by radiation from the Trinity nuclear test and uranium mining, urging state agencies to help eligible individuals apply for federal compensation before December 31, 2027. It directly supports downwinders, uranium workers (post-1971), and their families who qualify for a one-time $100,000 federal payment under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The memorial directs state departments (Health, Aging, Veterans, Indian Affairs) to collaborate with tribal governments and community groups to provide outreach, education, and application assistance. As a non-binding memorial, it does not create new law but emphasizes state coordination to ensure affected residents access existing federal benefits.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 20 (SM 20) requests the New Mexico Department of Health to convene a statewide youth violence summit focused on developing a comprehensive strategy to address youth violence. The bill directs the department to form a planning group including health, education, justice, and community stakeholders to organize the summit, which will gather research, share best practices, and identify gaps in current prevention efforts. The summit aims to produce a final report with recommendations for scaling community-based violence intervention programs, improving data collection, and proposing potential future legislation. This non-binding memorial directly affects state agencies and community organizations working on youth violence, with the goal of creating a unified statewide approach to improve youth safety outcomes.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 14 (SM 14) is a non-binding resolution requesting New Mexico's Indian Affairs Department and Commission on the Status of Women to study the historical forced or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women and women of color in the state. The study will identify past cases, gather survivor testimony using culturally safe methods, assess current reproductive healthcare access, and recommend actions to address harm. It aims to inform a state truth and reconciliation commission, a public memorial, and a Native American-led reproductive justice program, culminating in a 2027 report to the legislature. The resolution focuses on documenting historical violations and planning healing measures, not implementing new laws.

Maddy summarySB 270 appropriates $500 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health for fiscal year 2026 to support the operations of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). This funding directly affects FQHCs across the state, which provide primary care services in underserved communities. The bill establishes a one-time appropriation with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by the end of fiscal year 2026. It does not create new programs but allocates existing state resources to sustain current FQHC operations.

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 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.