Sen. George Muñoz

Maddy summarySB 274 is a legislative bill introduced in the New Mexico Senate in 2026 that addresses public peace, health, safety, and welfare. The bill was referred to Senate committees, declared germane, and then replaced with a committee substitute before its action was postponed indefinitely. As a procedural measure currently under review, it does not yet contain specific policy provisions or direct impacts on the public. The bill remains in the committee stage with no enacted changes at this time.

Maddy summaryThis New Mexico bill amends the Franchise Termination Act to strengthen protections for equipment dealers (retailers of farm tractors, construction equipment, and related parts) when suppliers seek to end their agreements. It requires suppliers to provide dealers with 180 days' written notice before termination (with exceptions for bankruptcy, felony convictions, or failure to operate), clearly stating the reasons and granting a 60-day period to fix issues. Suppliers must also respond to dealer transfer requests within 60 days or the request is automatically approved, with written denials requiring specific justification. The law clarifies "good cause" for termination and ensures dealers have time to address concerns before losing their franchise.

Maddy summarySB 6 appropriates $546.6 million from New Mexico's general fund to the University of New Mexico's board of regents for constructing, equipping, and furnishing a new School of Medicine facility. The funds are allocated for fiscal years 2027 through 2030, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2030. This bill directly affects the University of New Mexico by enabling the physical development of its medical school infrastructure. It is a funding measure, not a policy change, and specifies concrete financial and timeline details for the construction project.

Maddy summarySB 146 amends New Mexico's Civil Rights Act to change how people can sue government entities for rights violations. It directly affects residents who claim government actions violated their constitutional rights, such as police misconduct or school policies. Key changes include: reducing the maximum total damages from $2 million to $750,000 per incident (with separate limits for property, medical costs, and other damages), shortening the filing deadline from 3 to 2 years, requiring written notice before suing, and banning double recovery from both this act and the Tort Claims Act. The bill also removes punitive damages and clarifies that government employees can't sue under this act for job-related issues.

Maddy summarySB 8 authorizes a $650 million transfer from New Mexico's general fund to the Behavioral Health Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027. This funding directly supports the state's behavioral health services by replenishing the trust fund, which finances mental health and substance use disorder programs. The bill establishes a specific, one-time funding mechanism to bolster existing services without creating new programs or eligibility criteria. It affects all New Mexicans who access behavioral health care through state-funded programs, as the transfer aims to strengthen service availability and infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 176 requires the New Mexico Spaceport Authority to set fixed annual rental fees for specific spaceport projects that cannot change based on market conditions, usage, or other factors. It also mandates that general service fees for common facilities must not be less than 70% of a tenant's annual project rental fee. This directly affects the spaceport authority and businesses leasing spaceport facilities by creating predictable, non-variable fee structures. The bill does not change existing authority powers but adds specific constraints to fee-setting practices under the Spaceport Development Act.

Maddy summarySB 178 requires New Mexico school districts with over 2,000 students to allocate at least 90% of state equalization funds generated by each school directly to that school, with cash balance limits for non-compliant districts. It mandates all school districts and charter schools to develop evidence-based spending plans targeting academic improvements for at-risk students (Native American, low-income, English learners, and special education). The Public Education Department can intervene in underperforming schools by requiring curriculum updates, professional development, or hiring experts to revamp programs. Districts must also submit quarterly financial reports detailing fund allocation for these student groups, effective for the 2026-2027 through 2030-2031 school years.

Maddy summarySB 145 restructures New Mexico's audit requirements for state agencies and local public bodies (like counties, school districts, and water districts). It revises revenue thresholds that determine reporting obligations: local bodies with annual revenue under $100,000 are exempt from most financial reporting, while those between $100,000-$500,000 must submit tailored reports focused on their specific activities. The bill also mandates that state agencies conduct annual federal single audits starting in 2028, aligning with federal standards. These changes aim to reduce administrative burden for smaller entities while maintaining oversight for larger ones. The bill updates audit definitions, reporting rules, and the audit fund appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 177 transfers $111 million from New Mexico's General Fund to the Research, Development and Deployment Fund, with additional allocations totaling $106 million over three years for economic development initiatives. It specifically funds advanced energy startups ($37.5 million), defense/aerospace/bioscience innovation hubs ($30.9 million), and university research projects at New Mexico Tech and UNM (including $9 million for wireless tech and $8 million for defense-related equipment). These funds target industries like renewable energy, quantum computing, and defense technology, with unspent balances reverting to the General Fund by 2029. The bill directly affects the Economic Development Department, New Mexico universities, national laboratories, and businesses in targeted technology sectors.

Maddy summarySB 136 makes it illegal to use drones to secretly capture images of people, private property, or critical infrastructure without permission for surveillance purposes. It creates two offenses: a misdemeanor for general unauthorized drone surveillance, and a felony for drone operations near critical infrastructure (like power plants, water facilities, or government buildings) that disrupt operations or cause contact. Exceptions include drone use with consent, by government agencies, for research, by licensed surveyors, or for insurance purposes. The law aims to prevent privacy violations and security threats while allowing legitimate drone activities under specific conditions.