Sen. Jeff Steinborn

Maddy summaryHB 140 adds a formal definition of "hazardous waste constituent" to New Mexico's Hazardous Waste Act. This definition identifies specific chemicals meeting the hazardous waste criteria (per Section 74-4-3(K)) that the Environmental Improvement Board has determined require cleanup under the Act. The bill amends the board's duties to include identifying these constituents, ensuring consistent application of cleanup requirements. It directly affects the Environmental Improvement Board, waste handlers, and facilities managing hazardous substances by clarifying which materials trigger mandatory corrective actions. The change creates a standardized process but does not alter existing hazardous waste management rules.

Maddy summarySB 19 requires all members of New Mexico's boards of regents for state educational institutions (as listed in the state constitution) to complete 10 hours of mandatory training during their first term. The training covers five specific areas: state constitution and education law (2 hours), financial management (2 hours), student success services (2 hours), governance and resources (2 hours), and ethics/public accountability (2 hours). The Higher Education Department must develop and provide this training, with current board members having until December 31, 2025, to complete it. This bill directly affects all appointed board members of New Mexico's public universities and colleges.

Maddy summaryHB 212, the "Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act," prohibits the sale in New Mexico of consumer products containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals. It directly affects manufacturers and sellers of items like food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, carpets, and cleaning products. The bill requires these products to disclose PFAS content and undergo testing, while authorizing the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt specific rules banning PFAS in certain products. Violations could result in penalties, though the law allows for "currently unavoidable uses" where alternatives aren't available.

Maddy summarySB 120 permanently eliminates copays and coinsurance for behavioral health services in New Mexico. It applies to all group health plans, individual insurance policies, and health maintenance organizations sold in the state that cover mental health, substance abuse, and trauma treatment. The law removes all cost-sharing requirements - including fixed copays, percentage-based coinsurance, and deductibles - for services like therapy, inpatient care, medication (including brand-name drugs when generics aren’t available), and residential treatment. This change affects all health plans offering behavioral health coverage, ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for enrollees for these services. The bill amends multiple sections of New Mexico’s Health Care Purchasing Act and Insurance Code to make this elimination permanent, extending beyond the previous 2027 sunset date.

Maddy summarySB 219, the Medical Psilocybin Act, allows regulated medical use of psilocybin (a compound found in certain mushrooms) to treat specific conditions including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life care. It removes psilocybin from New Mexico's controlled substances list for medical purposes, creating a program overseen by the Department of Health that requires clinicians and producers to obtain permits and follow safety protocols. The bill establishes an advisory board to help develop treatment guidelines and provides legal protections, exempting authorized use from criminal penalties while prohibiting use while driving under its influence. Qualified patients must be diagnosed with an approved condition by a licensed clinician within an approved setting, with the Department of Health required to implement the program by December 2027.

Maddy summarySB 353 establishes standardized protocols for notifying New Mexico's state search and rescue (SAR) control agency during emergencies. It requires emergency dispatchers, law enforcement, and public service staff at federal, state, and local agencies to immediately notify the state SAR control agency (Department of Public Safety) when a SAR emergency occurs, using clear reporting steps. The bill also mandates training for these personnel and specifies that agencies must notify requesters and relevant jurisdictions (like federal land managers) after activating SAR resources. This directly affects all emergency responders across New Mexico who handle SAR requests, aiming to streamline coordination without delaying other agency responses.