Sen. Candy Ezzell

Maddy summarySJM 2 is a New Mexico Senate Joint Memorial requesting the Public Education Commission to create a comprehensive plan for the state to take over education programs currently managed by the U.S. Department of Education. The plan must include recommendations for state and federal legal changes, strategies for managing education funding (including potential federal waivers or grants), and identification of unnecessary federal education mandates. The Commission must gather input from local communities, teachers, and families, and submit the final plan to state leaders by December 31, 2026. This is a procedural request, not a law changing current responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 234 allocates $1.2 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Public Education Department for the Albuquerque Public School District to provide school transportation to and from school for foster children. The bill directly affects foster children in Albuquerque schools by ensuring consistent transportation access, addressing a common barrier to education. Key provisions include dedicated annual funding for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, with unspent balances carrying forward instead of reverting to the general fund. This is a funding appropriation bill focused on practical support for foster youth, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 230 allocates $450,000 from the state general fund to the Cultural Affairs Department to expand and continue the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program through fiscal year 2029. The program places markers honoring significant women in New Mexico history, directly benefiting the department and the public through historical recognition. Unspent funds by 2029 must revert to the general fund. This is a funding bill, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 251 prohibits the practice of "program ownership" and "program training" in New Mexico horse racing, where individuals falsely list themselves as owners or trainers in official race programs while the actual owner or trainer remains undisclosed. It directly affects horse owners, trainers, and racetracks that use such deceptive practices to circumvent licensing requirements. The bill amends licensing rules to grant the State Racing Commission authority to deny, suspend, or revoke licenses for anyone engaging in these prohibited activities. This creates a concrete policy change by requiring transparency in official race documentation and enforcing accountability through licensing consequences.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 32 requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study transportation barriers for students in foster care. It specifically examines current challenges school districts face in funding transportation to keep these students in their schools of origin, including unclear reimbursement processes and gaps in state and federal funding. The study will analyze existing barriers, review recent proposals (like reimbursing travel costs for foster families), and identify how to ensure consistent funding. This memorial does not create new law but aims to inform future policy decisions by the committee. It affects foster care students, school districts, and child welfare agencies by addressing a key factor in their school attendance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Mexico businesses selling gold or silver coins or bullion to deduct those sales from their gross receipts tax (a tax on business sales) until July 1, 2031. It specifically defines "bullion" as metal bars, ingots, or commemorative medallions where value depends on metal content, not form. Taxpayers must report these deductions to the state, and the cost of the deduction will be tracked in annual tax expenditure reports. The bill applies directly to businesses engaged in selling qualifying gold or silver products.

Maddy summarySenate Memorial 6 requests the New Mexico Department of Transportation to consider naming the Roswell Bypass (U.S. Highway 285) in honor of Nancy Lopez, a Roswell native and Hall of Fame professional golfer. The memorial highlights Lopez’s 48 LPGA tournament wins, her role as a pioneering figure in women’s golf, and her lifelong ties to Roswell, where she grew up and graduated from high school.

Maddy summarySB 6 redefines child abuse to include knowingly exposing a child to Schedule I or II illegal drugs (like opioids or meth) at birth, making this a criminal offense. Parents or caregivers who allow newborns to test positive for these drugs due to prenatal exposure face felony charges, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses or serious harm. The bill also allows hospitals or healthcare providers to temporarily place newborns showing drug withdrawal symptoms into protective custody without a court order, for up to 24 hours, to ensure immediate safety. This directly affects parents/caregivers with substance use issues and newborns exposed to drugs prenatally, prioritizing infant safety through clearer legal consequences and emergency custody protocols.

Maddy summarySB 9 enacts New Mexico's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creating a streamlined process for physicians licensed in one participating state to obtain licenses in other member states. The compact requires physicians to hold a full and unrestricted license in a "state of principal license" (where they reside, practice 25% of the time, or are employed) and mandates that they be licensed in the state where the patient is located during any encounter. Eligible physicians must meet specific criteria, including no criminal convictions for certain offenses and no prior disciplinary actions on their license. This does not alter existing state medical practice laws but provides a new pathway for multi-state licensure to improve healthcare access.

Maddy summarySB 5 creates a five-member nominating commission to select the Secretary of New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). The commission, appointed by legislative leaders and the attorney general, must recommend 3-5 qualified candidates to the governor within 30 days of a vacancy or the secretary's term ending. To qualify for the secretary role, applicants must have a master's degree or law degree, 10+ years of executive-level management experience (including budget oversight), and personnel recruitment expertise. The commission also evaluates the secretary's performance annually and reports to the governor and legislature. This bill directly affects the appointment process for the CYFD leadership position.