Sen. Pat Woods

Maddy summaryHJR 2 proposes a constitutional amendment to eliminate New Mexico's "pocket veto" power, meaning bills passed by the legislature automatically become law if the governor fails to act within three days (excluding Sundays). It also requires the governor to provide written explanations for any veto, whether partial or complete. This directly affects the governor and legislature by increasing legislative accountability and transparency in the veto process. The amendment would take effect only after voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summarySB 220 requires New Mexico state agencies to publicly post the terms of legal settlement agreements within 30 days on the Sunshine Portal if they settle claims without involving the risk management division. It also establishes "loss prevention review teams" to investigate serious incidents like deaths, serious injuries, or major financial losses exceeding $250,000, which must recommend prevention strategies and submit detailed reports to agency leaders and the risk management director. Agencies must provide these teams with full access to relevant documents and personnel during investigations. Annual reports on these reviews will be submitted to the legislature, aiming to improve transparency and prevent future incidents.

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 summarySB 221 amends New Mexico's insurance code to add a new prohibited practice (item P) targeting insurers. It bans insurers from treating an insured's routine inquiry about damage or loss as a formal claim when: the facts aren't covered by the policy, no payment is made, and the insured isn't being deceptive. This directly affects insurance companies operating in New Mexico by prohibiting this specific practice during initial customer interactions. The bill aims to prevent unnecessary formal claim processes for uncovered incidents, ensuring insurers don't misuse claim procedures for uncovered inquiries.

Maddy summarySB 101 increases maximum fees for various livestock-related services under New Mexico's Livestock Code, directly affecting ranchers, livestock owners, and businesses like auction markets. Key provisions raise maximum charges, such as from $0.50 to $2.50 per head for livestock inspections (Section G) and from $1.00 to $1.00 per head for sheep/goat import/export fees (Section A). The bill sets new upper limits for services including brand recordings, hide inspections, and seasonal grazing permits, effective July 1, 2025. It does not change current fee structures but expands allowable charges for state-administered livestock services.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 8) has a misleading title ("VETERINARY MEDICAL LOAN REPAYMENT PGM") that does not match its actual content. The bill text focuses on medical malpractice litigation, not veterinary medicine or loan repayment. It would limit venue for medical malpractice lawsuits to the county where the patient received treatment, create a "Patient Safety Improvement Fund," require payments from the Patient's Compensation Fund as expenses occur (instead of as a lump sum), and limit attorney fees in malpractice claims. The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and the state's Patient's Compensation Fund, changing how medical malpractice cases are processed and funded. The title appears to be an error, as the bill text contains no provisions related to veterinary medicine or loan repayment programs.

Maddy summaryHB 174 requires health insurance plans under New Mexico's Health Care Purchasing Act to reimburse community-based pharmacies for the full cost of prescription drugs (using either the national average drug acquisition cost or wholesale cost) plus a professional dispensing fee. It directly affects local pharmacies that serve the public, are not hospital-owned or part of out-of-state chains, and meet specific location criteria - excluding government, hospital, or mail-order pharmacies. The bill mandates that the dispensing fee must match the rate paid to pharmacies in New Mexico's Medicaid program. This law takes effect January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure fair reimbursement for community pharmacies providing prescription services.

Maddy summaryHB 65 clarifies that local school boards and charter school governing bodies, not the state, determine the exact number of instructional days per year and per week for New Mexico public schools. It maintains a statewide minimum of 1,140 instructional hours per year for students (550 for half-day kindergarten) but allows local entities to set the specific schedule within that framework. The bill also specifies that time during breakfast programs and certain professional development hours count toward the required instructional time. This directly affects all public school districts and charter schools in New Mexico starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 308 removes the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) from New Mexico's Local Election Act, creating a separate election process for its board members. The bill eliminates standard requirements for absentee voting, election notices, and polling locations under the Local Election Act, instead establishing new rules for MRGCD elections. Key provisions include requiring election proclamations to be published in local newspapers 30 days before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, and mandating that qualified electors must own property within the MRGCD's benefited area to vote. This directly affects MRGCD voters (property owners in the district) and election administrators who now follow specific MRGCD procedures instead of standard local election rules. The bill became law on March 22, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 2 (SM 2) is a procedural request asking the New Mexico Legislative Council to create a wildfire study group. The group, composed of 11 stakeholders including state agencies, utilities, tribal nations, local governments, and wildfire experts, will study wildfire risks and develop recommendations for prevention, response, and recovery. It will identify high-risk areas, improve emergency planning with utilities, and propose policies for safer communities and infrastructure, with a final report due by November 2025. This memorial does not create new laws but directs a collaborative effort to address wildfire challenges affecting all New Mexicans.