Maddy summarySB 347, the "Health Care Workers Conscience Protection Act," protects healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortion or abortion-related services based on ethical, moral, or religious beliefs. It directly affects doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical students, and other staff at healthcare institutions (like hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies) by prohibiting penalties - including license loss, job discipline, or adverse employment actions - for such refusals. Key provisions require institutions to provide written notice of the law to all staff within 30 days of enactment and post summaries prominently, while mandating that workers who object transfer patient records to new providers upon request. The bill does not alter patient access to abortion services but focuses on safeguarding workers' conscience-based choices. (Note: The bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025 and has not been enacted.)
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 301 creates a new "Court Emergency Property Reserve Fund" within New Mexico's state treasury, administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The fund, initially funded with $450,000 from the general budget, provides money for emergency repairs, replacement, or reconstruction of court-owned property when regular insurance, warranties, or capital funds don't cover the costs. Unspent balances in the fund do not return to the general budget each year. This directly affects state courts by ensuring they have dedicated resources for urgent property issues without waiting for new appropriations.
Maddy summarySB 256, the "School Teachers On-Site Protection Act," would require New Mexico's Department of Public Safety to create a training program enabling school employees (like teachers and staff) who already hold concealed handgun permits to carry firearms on school grounds. To qualify, participants must complete 40 hours of training covering active shooter response, legal use of force, and handgun proficiency, pass a psychological evaluation, and be appointed by a school administrator. The bill establishes a license for these "appointed school employees," with renewal requiring refresher training and re-evaluation every two years. The bill is currently pending, having been postponed indefinitely in June 2025.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes procedures for retiring New Mexico state flags that are no longer usable. It requires disposal through burning or another dignified method (like a public ceremony with military or patriotic groups) to honor the flag's significance. The bill applies directly to state agencies responsible for managing official flags, ensuring their retirement follows respectful protocols.
Maddy summarySB 323 designates the New Mexico Horsemens Association as the official horsemen's group under federal law and permits certain gaming machines during race weeks at racetracks. It amends existing regulations to clarify rules for simulcasting races, interstate wagering pools, and pari-mutuel tax collection. The bill also grants the State Auditor authority to audit racetracks and specifies how interstate common pool wagering must operate under federal guidelines. These changes primarily affect racetrack licensees, the Horsemens Association, and state oversight of horse racing operations in New Mexico.
Maddy summarySB 285, titled "EXEMPT TIPS FROM INCOME TAX," would exempt tips received by New Mexico residents as compensation for services (e.g., from servers, bartenders) from being included in taxable income. The bill directs that tips earned as part of wages or compensation would not count toward net income for tax purposes. This change would apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2025, directly affecting service industry workers who rely on tips. The bill does not alter minimum wage requirements or tip-sharing rules, focusing solely on tax treatment of tip income.
Maddy summarySB 329 creates a new criminal offense for recruiting children under 18 into criminal street gangs or threatening to coerce a child into joining. It imposes penalties of a fourth-degree felony for targeting children aged 13-18 and a third-degree felony for children under 13. The law directly affects adults who attempt to involve minors in gang activities, with the goal of protecting children from gang recruitment. It defines a "criminal street gang" as a group of three or more people whose primary purpose is committing crimes.
Maddy summarySB 257 creates a new Office of Border Security within New Mexico to coordinate border security efforts with federal and local governments. The office will manage construction, security, and maintenance of a physical border fence along New Mexico's border with Mexico, using powers like eminent domain to acquire land and a dedicated $6 million fund ($4 million for fence coordination, $2 million for operations) appropriated from the state general fund through 2029. This bill directly affects landowners near the border and local governments involved in border security projects. The office must coordinate with federal authorities and will disburse funds through state treasury warrants, with unused funds reverting to the general fund by 2029.
Maddy summaryHB 447 temporarily exempts gaming operators licensed in areas declared disaster zones due to wildfires (specifically those declared in June 2024) from paying gaming taxes until July 1, 2029. The bill applies directly to licensed gaming businesses operating in these affected wildfire zones. Key provisions include requiring the exemption to be tracked in the state's tax expenditure budget and setting a fixed repeal date of July 1, 2029. This policy change removes a specific tax obligation for affected businesses during the recovery period.
Maddy summarySB 393 provides a temporary exemption from gaming taxes for casinos and gaming businesses operating in areas declared disaster zones due to wildfires (specifically those declared in June 2024 by the governor). This exemption applies to all gaming taxes until July 1, 2029, directly benefiting licensed gaming operators in affected wildfire zones. The bill requires the exemption to be tracked in the state's tax expenditure budget and includes a delayed repeal effective July 1, 2029. It does not create new taxes or alter existing tax rates but temporarily suspends an existing tax for qualifying businesses in declared disaster areas.