Sen. Bobby Gonzales

Maddy summarySB 288 appropriates $2.5 million from New Mexico's general fund to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. The funds directly increase reimbursements paid to providers (like home care agencies and senior service organizations) in the state's aging network. Unspent funds will not revert to the general fund, ensuring ongoing support for these providers without requiring annual reappropriation.

Maddy summarySB 209 creates a permanent funding source for rural libraries in New Mexico by appropriating $29.5 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026 and all future years. The bill directly affects rural libraries across the state, providing guaranteed annual funding to support their operations and services. Key provisions include prohibiting unspent funds from reverting to the general fund at year-end, ensuring the money remains dedicated to the libraries. This is a straightforward funding mechanism with no new regulations or eligibility requirements beyond the existing definition of rural libraries. The bill does not change library services or create new programs, only securing ongoing financial support.

Maddy summarySB 384 appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for planning, developing, and creating a Rio Hondo Watershed District during fiscal year 2026. The funds are specifically for the Department of Agriculture to conduct this planning work, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by year-end. The bill directly affects the Rio Hondo watershed area by initiating formal planning for a dedicated district to manage water resources. It does not create the district immediately but funds the foundational planning phase through state agency action. The bill is procedural in nature, focusing solely on allocating funds for this planning process.

Maddy summarySB 338 appropriates $5 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Department of Health for fiscal years 2026-2027. This funding supports the New Mexico Health Service Corps in recruiting and retaining healthcare providers who serve rural communities or patients at federally qualified health centers. The bill limits administrative costs to $200,000 and requires any unspent funds by the end of 2027 to revert to the general fund. The bill was approved by committees but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025, so it has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 289 would change how New Mexico allocates revenue from its motor vehicle excise tax (a tax paid by vehicle owners). Currently, about 59% of the tax goes to the general fund, but this bill would reduce that share to 10%. It would increase the state road fund's allocation from roughly 22% to 65% and the transportation project fund's share from about 19% to 25%. These changes would redirect more tax revenue toward transportation infrastructure projects and take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 141 proposes to increase New Mexico's corporate income tax rate from 5% to 6.9% and establish a $100,000 gross receipts threshold for out-of-state businesses to be subject to state taxation. It creates a new $100,000 deduction for businesses that did not claim tax credits or deductions in the previous year, provided they maintained business activity throughout that year. The bill also includes $100,000 in funding for tax administration software updates. This legislation, introduced by Senator Peter Wirth, was referred to committees but postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and would affect businesses with significant New Mexico sales activity.

Maddy summarySB 213 requires drivers in New Mexico to yield the right-of-way to transit buses displaying a yield sign. It amends the Motor Vehicle Code to define "public mass transit operator" and establishes this specific yielding requirement for all drivers. The bill directly affects all vehicle operators using New Mexico roads when encountering buses with visible yield signs. It does not create new funding or services but modifies existing traffic rules to prioritize transit bus movement at intersections. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 but was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.

Maddy summaryThis memorial requests the State Engineer to study building an earthen water storage site in Taos County for wildfire suppression and structure protection, including cost analysis and water rights requirements. It directly affects Taos County, tribal communities (Pueblo of Taos and Pueblo of Picuris), and emergency responders who would use the water during fires. The study would evaluate feasibility and costs, but the request was postponed indefinitely in June 2025. (Note: This is a procedural memorial, not a bill authorizing construction.)

Maddy summarySB 205 creates a new Office of Housing Planning and Production within New Mexico's Department of Finance and Administration to coordinate statewide housing efforts. The office will develop a strategy to reduce housing costs and increase availability - including for low-income and homeless households - by analyzing zoning rules, building codes, construction costs, and promoting innovative housing solutions like modular homes. It requires annual data collection on housing needs, market conditions, and program impacts to track progress toward state goals and identify geographic gaps. The office will provide technical assistance to local governments, tribes, and regional entities to improve housing regulations and grow local housing capacity. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 445 removes a six-year expiration for a 0.25% tax on business gross receipts in water and sanitation districts, allowing the tax to continue indefinitely after initial voter approval. It directly affects water and sanitation districts in New Mexico counties, which must first secure voter approval to impose the tax. The bill modifies existing law by eliminating the requirement for districts to seek renewed voter approval every six years, while keeping the initial voter approval requirement and mandating that tax revenue fund only water/sanitation district operations.