Rep. Josh Hernandez

Maddy summaryHB 274 allows mobile home park owners in New Mexico to sell individual mobile home spaces as separately owned lots without needing to meet standard zoning requirements like minimum lot size or building setbacks. This directly affects mobile home park residents and owners who wish to purchase their specific lot. The bill amends the Mobile Home Park Act to create a new provision enabling this transfer of ownership without requiring infrastructure improvements typically needed for subdivision development. It removes barriers that previously forced park owners to conform to zoning rules when selling spaces, streamlining the process for residents seeking ownership.

Maddy summaryHB 294 regulates cannabis product packaging to prevent designs that appeal to minors. It prohibits using artificial color additives not approved by the Cannabis Control Division and bans packaging with cartoon imagery, colors, or designs resembling products marketed to children. The bill directly affects cannabis manufacturers, retailers, and producers who package products for sale in New Mexico. Violations would render products "adulterated," though specific penalties are outlined in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHB 145 extends the deadline for businesses to apply for New Mexico's High-Wage Jobs Tax Credit. The bill amends the existing tax code to require annual applications to be filed by December 31 of the year following the qualifying period, instead of the previous deadline. This credit allows eligible employers to claim 8.5% of wages for new high-wage jobs (capped at $12,750 per job), directly affecting businesses creating qualifying positions in New Mexico. The change simplifies the filing timeline but maintains all other eligibility rules, such as wage thresholds, occupancy requirements, and restrictions on jobs created through business mergers.

Maddy summaryHB 58 updates New Mexico's harassment law to cover modern digital communications, expanding the definition of "telephone" to include texts, social media posts, emails, and instant messages. It makes it illegal to use these platforms to send obscene, threatening, or harassing messages with intent to terrify or annoy, or to repeatedly disturb someone's peace through anonymous digital contact. Penalties range from a misdemeanor for first offenses to a fourth-degree felony for repeat violations. The law directly affects individuals who use digital means to harass others, aligning penalties with where the communication originated or was received.

Maddy summarySB 36 creates a 30% tax credit for businesses making at least $3 million in qualified infrastructure or equipment expenditures for quantum facilities located in New Mexico. The credit, capped at $50 million per facility, directly affects companies building quantum technology research facilities in the state. Key provisions require preliminary and final certification from New Mexico's Economic Development Department, mandate equipment stay in-state for 10 years, and include specific definitions for "quantum facility" and "qualified equipment." The credit reduces income tax liability, with unused portions refundable, and is subject to an annual $50 million state budget cap.

Maddy summaryHB 82 extends New Mexico's Technology Readiness Gross Receipts Tax Credit through 2035, allowing national laboratories operating in the state to claim tax credits for helping local businesses mature technologies developed at those labs. The credit covers qualified costs like lab staff wages, travel, and supplies, up to $150,000 per business annually and $5 million total per laboratory per year. To qualify, businesses must be registered in New Mexico, have licensed technology from a lab or be in a research partnership, and receive assistance not otherwise available at reasonable cost. This directly affects New Mexico's national laboratories (e.g., Los Alamos, Sandia) and qualifying businesses collaborating with them on technology development.

Maddy summaryHB 77 creates a corporate income tax credit for businesses renovating vacant buildings or lots in New Mexico that have been unoccupied for at least two years. The credit covers 30% of renovation costs for properties vacant 2-5 years (capped at $2 million per business) or 40% for properties vacant 5+ years (capped at $4 million), provided at least 15% of new housing units are affordable for low/moderate income residents (defined as ≤85% of local median income). Businesses must get pre-certification before work begins and post-completion certification, with the credit being transferable or carry-forwardable for up to five years. The credit expires in 2038, has an annual spending limit of $100 million (with $50 million reserved for non-rural areas), and applies to projects starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 209 requires group health insurance plans in New Mexico (including self-insured plans) to cover preventive cancer screenings for firefighters without any cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copays. It directly affects firefighters employed by state or local government fire departments, as defined in the bill. The law mandates coverage based on the latest screening guidelines from the International Association of Firefighters, ensuring screenings are fully paid for by the insurer. This policy change is implemented through amendments to the Health Care Purchasing Act, making screenings a mandatory benefit under existing group health coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 13 creates the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, allowing occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining a new license. It directly affects licensed therapists seeking to work across state lines, patients accessing services in different states, and military spouses relocating with their partners. Key mechanisms include establishing "compact privilege" for interstate practice, requiring states to share disciplinary and investigative information through a national data system, and supporting telehealth delivery of services. The bill aims to improve access to occupational therapy while maintaining each state's authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure standards.

Maddy summaryHB 214, the Consumer Information and Data Protection Act, creates new rules for businesses handling personal data in New Mexico. It directly affects New Mexico residents ("consumers") by granting them rights to access, correct, or delete their personal data, and requiring businesses to obtain clear, affirmative consent for data processing - prohibiting "dark patterns" that trick users. Key provisions include special protections for children's data, sensitive health information (like reproductive or mental health data), and biometric data, while banning the use of precise location tracking without consent. Businesses must also implement security measures and cannot use de-identified data for re-identification. The bill does not apply to publicly available information or de-identified data.