Sen. George Muñoz

Maddy summarySB 228 (FELONY FOR CERTAIN THEFTS) amends New Mexico's burglary law to create a new fourth-degree felony charge. It specifically targets individuals who enter a retail store after being explicitly told they are not allowed to enter, and then intend to commit theft or another felony inside. This directly affects people who have received formal notice (like a ban) from a retail business but return to commit crimes. The bill adds this provision to the existing burglary statute, making such entry a distinct felony separate from general burglary offenses. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 264 adjusts administrative fees across multiple New Mexico state programs. It increases game and fish license fees for all residents and non-residents, with annual inflation-based adjustments starting in 2027, and provides a 25% discount on all fees for residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill also raises fees to fund the Workers' Compensation Administration and changes environmental fees to be based on actual program costs rather than fixed amounts. These changes directly affect hunters, anglers, food service businesses, and state program operations through updated fee structures.

Maddy summarySB 226 establishes a 65 miles per hour maximum speed limit specifically for truck tractors on New Mexico highways. This directly affects commercial truck drivers and operators who operate these vehicles on state roads. The bill amends existing traffic laws to add this speed limit and sets a $250 penalty for violations, which is higher than standard speeding fines for other vehicles. The legislation aims to enhance safety by regulating truck speeds, with the penalty detailed in Section 66-8-116 of the Motor Vehicle Code.

Maddy summarySB 316 requires all uranium waste byproducts from mining, milling, or processing in New Mexico to be disposed of only in federally managed underground hazardous waste storage facilities. It prohibits New Mexico state agencies from issuing permits for disposal at any other type of facility. The bill directly affects uranium mining operations and waste handlers operating within the state by restricting disposal options to federally approved sites. This policy change aims to centralize management of uranium waste under federal oversight rather than state permitting. The bill is currently pending before committees and has not advanced to law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2) amends New Mexico's criminal competency law to clarify court jurisdiction when a defendant's competency to stand trial is questioned. It requires metropolitan courts to transfer a case to a district court if they determine a defendant is not competent to stand trial - previously, metropolitan courts could retain jurisdiction in such cases. The bill directly affects criminal defendants in New Mexico who face competency evaluations during trial. The title "Public Health & Safety Initiatives" is misleading, as the bill concerns court procedures, not public health measures. (Note: The bill's emergency designation cites public safety, but the substantive change relates solely to court jurisdiction.)

Maddy summarySB 514 formalizes how New Mexico allocates severance tax bonding capacity (funds from oil/gas extraction taxes) for capital projects. It requires equal division of remaining bonding capacity among the House, Senate, and Governor after statutory requirements are met. The Governor’s share must fund state assets or projects of statewide or regional significance, restricting its use to major initiatives. This directly affects the Legislature and Governor in distributing funds for infrastructure and public projects.

Maddy summarySB 23 changes the royalty rate for future oil and gas leases on certain New Mexico state trust lands. It amends lease terms to set a new royalty rate for "Premium" lands issued on or after July 1, 2025, directly affecting oil and gas companies leasing these lands and increasing revenue for trust beneficiaries (like schools and hospitals). The key provision requires lessees to pay this new rate in addition to the existing lease terms for all new development leases on designated trust lands. This policy change specifically targets future leases, not existing ones, to boost state trust land revenue.

Maddy summarySB 142 requires New Mexico's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to create a grid modernization roadmap and establish a grant program for projects that upgrade the state's electric grid. The bill adds school districts and charter schools to the list of eligible applicants for grants, alongside municipalities, tribes, utilities, and other entities. Grants prioritize projects that improve grid reliability, security, and efficiency while incorporating new technologies like energy storage, advanced metering, and microgrids. The legislation appropriates $300,000 for administrative costs to support the program and mandates reports tracking funded projects' outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 88 creates two new state funds to secure Medicaid financing: the Medicaid Trust Fund (for long-term reserves) and the State-Supported Medicaid Fund (for direct program support). It requires transferring unspent money from general fund appropriations - like leftover capital project funds and reversion balances - to the Medicaid Trust Fund, and directs certain investment income that would normally go to the general fund into this trust. The bill mandates annual distributions from the trust fund to the State-Supported Fund once the trust reaches $500 million, and allows using trust funds if federal Medicaid matching funds drop or general fund balances are insufficient to cover program costs. These changes directly affect New Mexico’s Medicaid program by establishing new mechanisms for funding stability and federal matching.

Maddy summaryHB 137 creates the Strategic Water Supply Program to reduce New Mexico's reliance on fresh water by funding projects that reuse treated brackish groundwater (highly salty groundwater) or treated oil/gas "produced water" (a byproduct of drilling). It establishes a dedicated fund financed by a 5-cent fee per barrel on oil/gas produced water, which will support grants and contracts for eligible water reuse projects. To qualify, projects must meet environmental standards, provide financial guarantees, advance economic development goals, and include a community benefits plan detailing public engagement. The program directly affects oil/gas operators (via the fee), state water agencies (DE, EMNRD, State Engineer), and communities where water reuse projects are implemented.