Maddy summarySB 311 increases penalties for violence against school employees in New Mexico by reclassifying certain assaults and batteries as higher-level felonies. It specifically targets attacks on teachers, administrators, and school board members while they are performing their duties, with enhanced penalties for using weapons, disguises, or threatening behavior. The bill also creates new offenses for assault and battery occurring on school campuses generally (not just against employees), defining these as felonies based on the severity of the act. Key provisions include upgrading simple battery on school staff to a third-degree felony and imposing second-degree felony charges for aggravated battery causing serious harm or using deadly weapons. This legislation directly affects school employees and anyone committing violent acts on school property during school hours.
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Maddy summarySenate Memorial 18 requests state departments to form a task force to study how New Mexico's Public Works Minimum Wage Act and the federal Davis-Bacon Act affect costs for public construction projects like roads and buildings. The task force, including labor, construction, and government representatives, will analyze whether current wage requirements increase project costs and potentially limit infrastructure output per dollar spent. It will make recommendations for possible changes to the Public Works Minimum Wage Act by October 1, 2026. This is a study request, not a policy change, and does not alter existing wage laws. The bill directly affects state agencies managing public works contracts and capital projects.
Maddy summarySB 258 requires New Mexico's Legislative Finance Committee staff to prepare fiscal impact reports for proposed state agency rules expected to cost $10 million or more annually. It directly affects state agencies proposing such rules (which must provide cost data) and legislative leaders (who can request the reports). The bill mandates that reports include the agency's cost estimates, the rule's legal basis, projected impacts on state budgets and private businesses, and analysis sources. This change aims to provide lawmakers with standardized financial data before approving major regulatory changes. The bill applies only to rules with significant fiscal effects, not routine regulations.
Maddy summarySJM 4 is a non-binding request urging New Mexico's governor to opt the state into a federal tax credit program that allows donors to claim dollar-for-dollar tax credits for contributions to scholarship organizations. This program would enable low-income families and students with special needs to access private scholarships covering K-12 education costs - including tuition, books, and special needs services - at public, private, or religious schools, without state funding. The request emphasizes that opting in requires only the governor's decision (no legislative action) and risks losing charitable donations to states like Texas and Colorado that have already joined the program. New Mexico would gain immediate access to this federal opportunity to expand educational choices for underserved students, aligning with bipartisan voter support for the initiative.
Maddy summarySB 347, the "Health Care Workers Conscience Protection Act," protects healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortion or abortion-related services based on ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It directly affects doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical students, and other staff at healthcare institutions (like hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies) by prohibiting penalties - including license loss, job discipline, or adverse employment actions - for such refusals. Key provisions require institutions to provide written notice of the law to all staff within 30 days of enactment and post summaries prominently, while mandating that workers who object transfer patient records to new providers upon request. The bill does not alter patient access to abortion services but focuses on safeguarding workers' conscience-based choices. (Note: The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and has not been enacted.)
Maddy summarySB 449 changes venue rules for medical malpractice lawsuits, requiring cases to be filed only in the county where the patient received treatment. It limits recoveries from the Patient's Compensation Fund, requires payments from the fund as expenses occur, and directs 75% of punitive damages to the state. The bill also caps attorney fees in malpractice claims and creates a new Patient Safety Improvement Fund. These changes directly affect patients, healthcare providers, insurers, and the state's medical malpractice compensation system.
Maddy summarySB 503 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Mexico from engaging in specific practices that affect pharmacies and patients. It bans patient steering (forcing patients to use certain pharmacies through mail-order requirements or restricted networks) and spread pricing (reimbursing pharmacies less than the price billed to insurers). The bill requires PBMs to provide contracts in plain English, disclose reimbursement standards clearly, and not restrict pharmacists from discussing drug costs or alternatives with patients. These changes directly impact PBMs, pharmacies, and pharmacists by promoting transparency and limiting restrictive practices in drug benefit management.
Maddy summarySB 323 designates the New Mexico Horsemens Association as the official horsemen's group under federal law and permits certain gaming machines during race weeks at racetracks. It amends existing regulations to clarify rules for simulcasting races, interstate wagering pools, and pari-mutuel tax collection. The bill also grants the State Auditor authority to audit racetracks and specifies how interstate common pool wagering must operate under federal guidelines. These changes primarily affect racetrack licensees, the Horsemens Association, and state oversight of horse racing operations in New Mexico.
Maddy summarySB 230 increases maximum fees that notaries in New Mexico can charge for specific services. It raises the cap from $5 to $12 per acknowledgment, oath, or jurat, and from $0.50 to $1.20 per page for copy certifications (with a $12 minimum total). The bill also raises the maximum technology fee from $25 to $60 per electronic notarial act. These changes would directly affect notaries and individuals needing notarization services, effective July 1, 2025. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 243 creates a new "All Cities and Counties Fund" to redirect 8% of New Mexico's gross receipts tax revenue (previously allocated to the state general fund) to local governments. Starting July 1, 2025, the state will transfer this revenue into the fund, with annual distributions to all cities and counties based on a formula considering population size and each area's share of the state's gross receipts tax revenue. The first distributions are scheduled for November 1, 2026, with subsequent annual payments thereafter. This policy ensures all municipalities and counties receive funding proportional to their population and tax contribution.