Sen. David Gallegos

Maddy summarySB 398 would provide New Mexico residents who are U.S. citizens and file individual income tax returns with a $500 tax rebate per person, plus $500 per dependent claimed, and an additional $500 for married couples filing jointly. To qualify, residents must have been physically present in New Mexico for at least six months during the tax year and not incarcerated for over six months that year. The rebate reduces tax liability or is refunded if it exceeds the amount owed, applying to tax years starting in 2025. The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and has not advanced further.

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 173 reclassifies public safety telecommunicators (911 operators) employed by local governments as "municipal police members" under New Mexico's Public Employees Retirement Act. This change directly affects telecommunicators working for cities, counties, or other local public employers (not the state), granting them retirement benefits identical to police officers. The bill amends the retirement act's definitions to include telecommunicators under the "municipal police member" category, ensuring they qualify for the same pension and coverage plans as sworn police officers. It does not alter their job duties or pay but adjusts their retirement eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 408 increases the maximum contract limits for architectural/engineering services and construction projects that New Mexico state agencies and local public bodies can award. It raises the four-year cap for design services from $7.5 million to $15 million per contractor, and the ten-year cap for construction from $12.5 million to $30 million. The bill also allows individual purchase orders under these contracts to reach up to $7 million (up from $4 million). These changes aim to streamline procurement for large-scale projects while maintaining oversight through annual reporting requirements. The bill was referred to committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

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 501 creates a special "Make-A-Wish New Mexico" license plate available to vehicle owners starting January 2026 for a $30 initial fee plus $30 annual renewal. Revenue from these fees is split: $12 covers plate manufacturing, while $18 plus all renewal fees fund health programs supporting children with life-threatening illnesses. The program includes a sunset provision - starting July 2031, the state may discontinue the plate if annual sales drop below 50% of the average from 2026-2031. This directly affects New Mexico vehicle owners who choose to purchase the plate, with funds directed to health services for pediatric patients.

Maddy summarySB 185 makes unauthorized use of underground water a criminal offense in New Mexico. It prohibits selling, trading, or using water requiring a state permit without authorization or for purposes not approved by the state engineer. Violators face a fourth-degree felony charge, a $1,000 fine per 42-gallon barrel, and potential sentencing under existing law. The state attorney general or district attorneys can enforce this law to address illegal groundwater extraction. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses using underground water without proper permits or for disallowed purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, misnamed as the "Detransitioner Protection Act" but actually focused on restricting care for minors, prohibits health care providers and public bodies from providing gender transition procedures or related information to minors under 18. It requires providers to give specific written and verbal notices to minors or parents about risks of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, citing unproven benefits and potential harms like reduced bone density and sterilization. Violations could lead to license revocation for providers. The bill does not address detransitioners, as defined in its text, but centers on preventing gender transition care for minors.

Maddy summarySB 78 amends New Mexico law to establish an independent practice role for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), allowing them to provide anesthesia care without direct physician supervision in most settings. This directly affects CRNAs and patients in New Mexico healthcare facilities, removing prior requirements for physician collaboration in anesthesia care. The bill defines "independent role" as performing all anesthesia-related actions (including prescribing certain drugs in emergency, surgical, or perinatal settings) without oversight, while clarifying their prescribing authority based on a board-developed formulary. The law also includes provisions for expedited licensure for CRNAs moving from other states and maintains requirements for national certification and continuing education.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new School Safety Division within the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to assist public schools and charter schools with safety policies and security staffing. The division will coordinate with local law enforcement and training agencies to help recruit and retain school resource officers and security personnel, while also developing specialized training curricula for these roles. To support these efforts, the legislation establishes a dedicated program fund and appropriates $50 million to provide grants to school districts for hiring and retaining security staff. The bill also defines the division's responsibilities, including administering other programs for the physical protection of students at public schools.