Sen. Jay Block

Maddy summaryHB 192 allocates $2.8 million from the general fund to cover subscriber fees for New Mexico's digital trunked radio communications system, directly benefiting municipal, county, and tribal public safety agencies providing law enforcement, fire, medical, or emergency services. The bill requires the Department of Information Technology to submit an annual report by December 1 starting in 2026, detailing projected fees and users for the following fiscal year. This ensures transparency in funding allocation for the public safety radio system, which agencies rely on for critical communications. The appropriation is non-reverting, meaning unspent funds carry over to future years.

Maddy summaryHB 161 provides New Mexico resident veterans who served in the U.S. armed forces, reserves, or public health service (with minimum service requirements) with free state park access. It grants one annual day-use pass for unlimited entry into state parks and recreation areas, plus one annual camping pass for unlimited use of state park camping facilities. The law, now signed into effect, requires veterans to provide proof of service to the state parks division but does not mandate disability verification. This policy directly benefits eligible veterans by removing entry and camping fees at New Mexico's state parks.

Maddy summarySB 348 requires New Mexico to make annual payments to local governments (like counties) when the state acquires real property that was previously subject to local property taxes. The payments, calculated based on the prior year's property tax liability for that property, are deposited into a new "Payments in Lieu of Taxes Fund" managed by the Taxation and Revenue Department. The Department of Transportation is exempt from this requirement for highway projects, and payments depend on annual state appropriations, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, creates a statewide system for coordinating behavioral health services across New Mexico. It requires each geographic region to develop a collaborative regional plan (with input from providers, patients, and agencies) outlining a four-phase expansion of services, prioritizing underserved communities and including performance measures. The law establishes statewide standards for care, mandates annual reporting on plan implementation, and allocates state funds to support regional priorities - such as expanding non-acute care for uninsured patients - while requiring managed care organizations to eliminate patient caps. This directly affects behavioral health providers, patients, and state agencies like the administrative office of the courts and the health care authority, aiming to improve service coordination and access.

Maddy summarySB 1 creates a permanent Behavioral Health Trust Fund in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by a $1 billion transfer from the General Fund. The Trust Fund will invest money and distribute 5% of its average market value annually (starting July 1, 2026) to the Behavioral Health Program Fund. This Program Fund will finance specific services like mental health/substance abuse treatment, infrastructure, workforce support, and regional health plans. The bill directly affects state-funded behavioral health programs and their recipients by establishing a dedicated, ongoing funding source.