Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

Maddy summarySB 217 modifies New Mexico's liquor excise tax system. It imposes a new surtax on liquor retailers and redirects the revenue to create a dedicated Tribal Alcohol Harms Alleviation Fund, which will receive 5% of liquor excise tax revenue starting July 2019. The bill also amends definitions to exclude liquor excise taxes from the calculation of "gross receipts" for other state taxes. This directly affects liquor retailers (through the surtax), tribal governments (receiving new funding), and local governments (which will see adjusted allocations for alcohol treatment services and drug courts). The changes are purely procedural, reallocating existing tax revenue streams rather than creating new taxes or services.

Maddy summarySB 303 prohibits New Mexico state funds from being used to support joint law enforcement operations with federal officers who conceal their identity (e.g., hiding badges or agency affiliation). It directly affects state agencies and local governments receiving public safety funding, barring them from participating in such federal collaborations unless specific exceptions apply - like sanctioned undercover operations, SWAT teams, or explosive disposal. Violations trigger penalties including triple damages, fines of $5,000-$10,000 per violation, and civil lawsuits allowing private citizens to sue on behalf of the state (qui tam actions). The bill aims to prevent state resources from funding federal activities where officer identities are hidden during enforcement.

Maddy summaryNew Mexico's SB 252 creates a new liquor excise surtax on retailers and directs the revenue to a new Tribal Alcohol Harms Alleviation Fund. It also amends tax definitions to exclude liquor taxes from "gross receipts" calculations for other state taxes. The bill updates how existing liquor tax revenue is distributed, including maintaining funding for local DWI programs, alcohol treatment services, and drug courts. This directly affects liquor retailers (through the new surtax) and tribal communities (as recipients of the new fund). The changes aim to redirect liquor tax revenue toward tribal-specific alcohol harm programs while simplifying tax calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 328 prohibits New Mexico state funds from being used to support joint law enforcement operations between local agencies and federal officers who conceal their identities during enforcement. It directly affects state and local law enforcement agencies receiving public safety funding, banning such partnerships while allowing exceptions for sanctioned undercover operations, SWAT teams, and explosive disposal. Violators face triple damages, fines of $5,000-$10,000 per violation, and legal costs, with a "qui tam" provision enabling private citizens to sue on behalf of the state and share in recovered funds. The bill aims to prevent state money from subsidizing covert federal operations without requiring proof of fraud.

Maddy summarySB 302 eliminates filing fees for children, their families, or individuals filing on a child's behalf in any proceeding under New Mexico's Children's Code. The bill amends court costs statutes to explicitly exclude these parties from paying filing fees or related expenses (Section 32A-1-19). It ensures that children, families, or legal representatives in Children's Code cases (such as custody or delinquency matters) will not face financial barriers to accessing court proceedings. The law directly affects vulnerable minors and their advocates by removing a cost barrier in family court cases.

Maddy summarySB 313 removes a legal provision stating that failing to secure children in appropriate car seats or seat belts cannot be considered negligence in court. This change directly affects parents and caregivers of children under 18 who do not comply with New Mexico’s existing child passenger restraint requirements. The bill amends two sections of state law to delete language that previously prevented such violations from being used as evidence of fault in accident cases. As a result, courts can now consider improper child restraint use when determining negligence or liability in traffic incidents involving minors. The actual safety requirements for child restraints (e.g., rear-facing seats for infants, booster seats for young children) remain unchanged.

Maddy summarySB 300 appropriates $5 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) for fiscal year 2027 to upgrade computer hardware and software used in child welfare cases. The funds must be used for systems compatible with the national child welfare data management system operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects CYFD's technology infrastructure for managing child welfare cases, with no new policy requirements beyond the funding allocation.

Maddy summarySB 257 requires New Mexico's Department of Environment to prioritize the disposal of hazardous waste generated within the state when issuing, renewing, or modifying hazardous waste permits. This applies specifically to disposal facilities seeking permits under the state's Hazardous Waste Act. The bill amends permit regulations to mandate that the department consider a permittee's capacity to accept and prioritize state-generated waste during these permit decisions. It does not change existing waste standards or fees but modifies how permit approvals are evaluated.

Maddy summarySB 235, the Microgrid Oversight Act, requires microgrids (systems generating at least 20 megawatts that can operate independently or connected to the grid) to transition to 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045 through a renewable portfolio standard. Microgrid owners must report annually on energy generation (by source), water use, and compliance status, while electric utilities cannot raise rates to cover microgrid infrastructure costs. The law directly affects microgrid operators and electric utilities, imposing new reporting obligations and prohibiting rate increases tied to microgrid development. It creates a framework for oversight by the Public Regulation Commission, ensuring microgrids meet renewable energy targets without passing infrastructure costs to customers.

Maddy summaryBased solely on the provided context, SB 280's specific provisions are not detailed in the bill text or summary. The bill's title ("PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY & WELFARE") is broad but does not indicate concrete policy changes. The bill was referred to committees (Senate Committees' Committee and Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee) but was withdrawn on February 14, 2026, and no further action is described. Without substantive text or a specific summary of its content, a factual description of its mechanisms or direct effects cannot be provided.