Sen. Larry Scott

Maddy summarySB 391 increases civil penalties for air quality violations in New Mexico, setting daily fines up to $15,000 for permit breaches and $25,000 for noncompliance with enforcement orders. It directly affects businesses and facilities operating under air quality permits by raising financial stakes for violations. Key provisions include exempting penalties for self-reported violations with corrective action and for equipment malfunctions when maintenance records are up-to-date. The bill also clarifies legal representation in enforcement cases (e.g., attorney general for state actions) and limits penalty claims to five years from when the violation was known.

Maddy summarySB 286 creates the "Education Freedom Account Act," which establishes state-funded accounts for low-income New Mexico students (eligible if family income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and without a high school diploma). The program deposits funds equal to average public school spending per student (adjusted for special needs) into accounts, allowing parents to cover qualifying expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and approved educational services at non-online private schools. Funds must be used exclusively for these approved expenses through annual contracts, cannot be refunded to parents, and unused balances revert to the state general fund after two years. The bill explicitly excludes online schools from being eligible education service providers.

Maddy summarySB 423 requires the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze the costs and impacts of "major rules" (those costing $10 million+ annually or significantly affecting industries/communities) before they take effect. It mandates that all state agency rules must receive the governor’s approval and automatically expire after five years unless renewed by the legislature. The bill also defines "major rules" and requires agencies to provide detailed cost-benefit analyses, including effects on state revenue, compliance costs, and alternatives. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations, the governor, and legislative committees managing rule oversight. The changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in rulemaking.

Maddy summarySB 502 creates a new "speech-language pathology assistant" license in New Mexico, replacing the existing "apprentice" license. The bill directly affects current apprentices and future assistants by establishing clear qualifications and supervision requirements for their role. Key provisions define "speech-language pathology assistant" and specify that assistants must work under the direct supervision of licensed speech-language pathologists. The bill also repeals outdated sections of law related to the apprentice license and updates terminology for clarity.

Maddy summarySB 185 makes unauthorized use of underground water a criminal offense in New Mexico. It prohibits selling, trading, or using water requiring a state permit without authorization or for purposes not approved by the state engineer. Violators face a fourth-degree felony charge, a $1,000 fine per 42-gallon barrel, and potential sentencing under existing law. The state attorney general or district attorneys can enforce this law to address illegal groundwater extraction. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses using underground water without proper permits or for disallowed purposes.

Maddy summarySB 280 adds the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) to the list of "constitutional special schools" under New Mexico's Public School Capital Outlay Act. This change directly affects NMMI by making it eligible for state funding to support school facility improvements, such as building systems and infrastructure. The bill amends the legal definition of "constitutional special schools" to include NMMI alongside the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the New Mexico School for the Deaf. This is a procedural update to the existing funding law, ensuring NMMI qualifies for capital outlay funding like other designated special schools.