Sen. Benny Shendo

Maddy summarySB 260 creates a tax credit allowing businesses to claim 75% of donations (up to $750,000 per company annually) to public colleges or school districts for workforce education programs, such as vocational training and job skills courses. The credit is capped at $5 million total per year across all businesses, requiring companies to apply for certification through the state's economic development department. Eligible donations must be direct monetary contributions to public institutions - not to affiliated entities - and the credit applies to taxable years starting January 1, 2026. This policy directly affects businesses donating to workforce training programs and public educational institutions receiving those funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to clean up abandoned uranium mines and other contaminated sites across New Mexico where no responsible polluter exists to fund the work. It directly affects communities near these sites, particularly those impacted by historical uranium mining, by enabling the Department of Environment to conduct assessments and remediation. The funds will be used for cleanup actions during fiscal years 2027-2029, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2029. The legislation focuses solely on addressing existing contamination through state-funded cleanup, without altering liability or creating new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summarySB 240 authorizes New Mexico to issue bonds funded by severance taxes (taxes on oil, gas, and mineral extraction) to finance state capital projects like building construction, vehicle purchases, and equipment. It requires state agencies to certify their need for funds by the end of 2028 and to spend at least 5% of the bond proceeds within six months and 85% within three years of receiving the money. Unspent funds must be returned to the state treasury by 2030 or within six months of project completion, whichever comes first, preventing long-term budgeting of unused funds. This ensures timely project spending while holding agencies accountable for efficient use of bond proceeds.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Memorial (SM 27) acknowledges New Mexico residents affected by radiation from the Trinity nuclear test and uranium mining, urging state agencies to help eligible individuals apply for federal compensation before December 31, 2027. It directly supports downwinders, uranium workers (post-1971), and their families who qualify for a one-time $100,000 federal payment under the expanded Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The memorial directs state departments (Health, Aging, Veterans, Indian Affairs) to collaborate with tribal governments and community groups to provide outreach, education, and application assistance. As a non-binding memorial, it does not create new law but emphasizes state coordination to ensure affected residents access existing federal benefits.

Maddy summarySB 2 increases funding for New Mexico's highway projects by raising fees on vehicle registrations and commercial truck taxes. It raises weight-distance tax rates for commercial trucks (affecting freight companies), increases standard passenger vehicle registration fees, and adds new annual fees for electric vehicles ($70-$90) and plug-in hybrids ($35-$45) starting in 2027. All new revenue from these changes goes directly to the State Road Fund to support highway improvements. The bill specifically targets commercial truck operators, all vehicle owners, and electric vehicle owners, with fee amounts varying by vehicle type and registration year.

Maddy summarySB 19 adjusts New Mexico's public school funding calculation for fiscal year 2026 by resetting the "unit value" used to determine state education funding. It requires the Secretary of Public Education to adjust this value by February 27, 2026, based on statewide unit counts after consulting with finance departments and legislative committees. This change directly affects all public schools in New Mexico by altering the formula for calculating their state funding allocation for that fiscal year. The bill is a temporary adjustment for FY2026, not a permanent change to the school finance system.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Mexico's Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to provide grants to rural health care providers and facilities in high-need geographic areas with health professional shortages. It directly affects eligible rural providers (licensed in counties under 100,000 population or designated shortage areas) that serve Medicaid recipients and face operating losses for new or expanded services. Key provisions allow grants covering operating losses (not construction), require Medicaid provider status, mandate financial accountability through verified cost data, and prioritize services addressing critical community health needs. The bill appropriates $50 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years, with unspent funds not reverting to the general fund.

Maddy summarySB 143 creates a dedicated "utility oversight fund" in New Mexico's state treasury, funded by fees collected from utilities (like electric, gas, and water providers) operating within the state. The bill increases the annual inspection fee from 0.59% to 0.6% of utilities' New Mexico gross receipts and directs all related fees, late interest (15% annually), and penalties (2% for late payments) into this new fund, which cannot be used for other state purposes. The Public Regulation Commission will manage the fund, using it to support its oversight duties under the Public Utility Act, with disbursements requiring legislative appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (SJR 15) proposes changing New Mexico's education governance structure. It would replace the current elected Public Education Commission with an appointed State Board of Education, which would appoint the Superintendent of Public Instruction to lead the public education department. The amendment keeps the elected commission as the authority for charter schools and retains its existing responsibilities. The proposed changes require voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summarySB 260 appropriates $50 million from the state general fund to New Mexico's Department of Environment for assessing and cleaning up abandoned or neglected contaminated sites, including former uranium mines, where no responsible party exists to pay for cleanup. The funding is available for use over fiscal years 2026 through 2028, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2028. This bill directly affects state taxpayers through the funding mechanism and communities near contaminated sites by enabling cleanup actions that lack private funding. The key provision is the dedicated state funding to address environmental hazards at sites with no viable cleanup funding source.