Rep. Marian Matthews

Maddy summaryHB 2 creates a state Health Care Affordability Fund to lower health insurance costs for New Mexicans. It provides premium subsidies for residents purchasing coverage through New Mexico's health insurance exchange (with priority for those earning under 200% of the federal poverty level) and for small businesses. The fund also covers part of premiums for state employees earning $50,000 or less and New Mexico National Guard members. If federal health care laws change to reduce coverage, the fund can maintain access to affordable plans for low-income residents.

Maddy summaryHB 86 removes the statute of limitations for prosecuting human trafficking cases in New Mexico, allowing prosecutions to occur at any time. It raises the age for "sexual exploitation of children by prostitution" from 16 to 18 years and adds human trafficking to the definition of "racketeering" for legal purposes. The bill also defines "harm" in trafficking cases, prohibits specific defenses for traffickers, and expands protections by adding trafficking victims to the Victims of Crime Act. These changes directly affect human trafficking victims (especially minors), prosecutors, and defendants, focusing on strengthening legal tools to address trafficking. The bill was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 453 creates New Mexico's Creditworthiness Assistance Program, administered by the state mortgage finance authority. It provides grants to help eligible individuals (participants in approved credit education programs) cover up to $5,000 in unpaid rent per person or $2,500 for property damages caused while renting. The program is funded through a new Creditworthiness Assistance Fund and requires participants to complete budgeting and credit history training. It directly affects low-income renters struggling with rent arrears or property damage claims, offering financial relief to improve their credit standing.

Maddy summarySB 368 expands New Mexico's legal definition of "cremation" to include chemical and biological processes, not just traditional flame-based methods. This change directly affects funeral service providers, crematories, and individuals making end-of-life arrangements by adding these non-traditional methods to the state's Funeral Services Act. The bill amends key definitions in state law to clarify that "cremate" means reducing remains through "direct flame, chemical agent or biological processing," and updates related terms like "cremated remains" to reflect this broader scope. These changes ensure legal clarity for facilities using newer methods and provide clearer authorization requirements for decedents. The bill does not alter burial practices or create new requirements beyond defining the cremation process.

Maddy summaryHB 312, the "Litigation Financing Transparency Act," requires legal counsel to disclose litigation financing agreements to all represented clients within 30 days of entering such an agreement. It directly affects litigation financiers (who provide funding for lawsuits), legal counsel, and "funded consumers" (clients whose cases are financed). Key provisions prohibit financiers from controlling case strategy, paying referral fees, or assigning agreements, while mandating full transparency about funding terms. The bill is pending in New Mexico and has not yet become law, as its most recent action (June 3, 2025) postponed it indefinitely.

Maddy summaryHB 70, the "Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver Act," aims to create a new Medicaid waiver program in New Mexico for residents with behavioral health disabilities, including serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and brain injuries. The bill requires the Health Care Authority to develop and submit a federal application for this waiver by December 2025, using $1.1 million in state funds to hire staff and retain consultants. It mandates the authority to coordinate services through individualized plans, establish advisory councils, and align reimbursement systems with existing home- and community-based waiver programs. The bill does not change current Medicaid coverage but seeks to expand access to community-based behavioral health services. Note: This bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and did not advance to law.

Maddy summaryHB 442, titled "Mobile Home Rent Stabilization," would limit rent increases for residents in New Mexico mobile home parks. Starting July 1, 2025, landlords could raise rents only once per year, with a maximum 3% increase for the first year (2025-2026) and 5% annually thereafter. The bill also revises penalties for landlords violating the Mobile Home Park Act, making them liable for twice the monthly rent per violation instead of a flat $500 penalty. This bill was amended and postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 243, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creates a multi-state agreement allowing physicians licensed in one participating state to more easily obtain licenses in other participating states through a streamlined process. It directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines and state medical boards managing licensure. The bill establishes a "state of principal license" (where the physician primarily practices) and enables an "expedited license" in other compact states without full re-licensing, while maintaining each state's authority over medical practice within its borders. The compact does not replace existing state medical practice acts but provides an additional pathway for licensure, requiring physicians to meet specific eligibility criteria like having an unrestricted license and no serious criminal convictions.

Maddy summaryThis House Memorial (HM 35) requests state agencies - including the Regulation and Licensing Department, Public Regulation Commission, and Governor's Office of Housing - to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework and rent stabilization program for mobile home parks. It directly affects mobile home residents, who own their homes but rent the land, facing high relocation costs ($5,000-$10,000) and unregulated rent increases under current law. The memorial does not create new law but asks agencies to propose policies for rent stabilization and park tenancy rules, with findings due by September 2025. (Note: As a memorial, it is procedural and not a binding bill.)

Maddy summaryHouse Memorial 48 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to form a task force to study making high school extracurricular activities - like band, theater, debate, and fine arts - free for all students. The task force, including education experts and school district representatives, would examine the feasibility of eliminating costs for equipment, uniforms, and transportation. It would report findings and recommendations by November 2025, but the memorial does not change current funding or require immediate action. This is a study request only, not a law that would make activities free.