Sen. Bobby Gonzales

Maddy summarySB 218 appropriates $5 million from the state general fund to construct, equip, and furnish a regional emergency operations center in Los Alamos County. The funding must be spent by the end of fiscal year 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the state treasury. This bill directly provides state resources for emergency response infrastructure in Los Alamos County, supporting local preparedness and coordination during crises.

Maddy summarySB 309 requires the New Mexico Lottery Authority to deposit monthly net lottery revenue into the Lottery Tuition Fund, directly affecting the state's lottery operations and education funding. It sets minimum annual deposit targets ($43 million for 2027-2029, $45 million for 2030+), triggering a requirement to deposit 30% of monthly gross lottery revenue if these targets aren't met for two consecutive years. The bill clarifies that operating costs (like prizes, administration, and retailer commissions) are excluded when calculating deposits. This change ensures consistent funding for education by mandating specific revenue transfers from lottery sales.

Maddy summaryHB 325 creates a dedicated state fund to improve safety at road-rail crossings in New Mexico, directly affecting communities and transportation agencies at intersections where roads meet railroad tracks. The fund, initially funded with $1 million for fiscal year 2027, will finance projects like installing crossing gates, signals, or grade separations through the state Department of Transportation. Unspent funds will roll over annually without reverting to the general fund, and starting October 1, 2026, any remaining balance will be transferred to the state road fund to support additional safety projects. This legislation provides a permanent funding mechanism for safety improvements at high-risk crossings.

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 125 modifies how school districts and charter schools fund employee insurance. It requires these entities to cover at least 80% of insurance costs for lower-paid staff (under $50,000 salary), 70% for middle-paid staff ($50k-$60k), and 60% for higher-paid staff ($60k+), eliminating previous waivers that allowed them to opt out of the Public School Insurance Authority. The bill also mandates reference-based pricing for hospital services in state health plans, requiring hospitals to charge no more than set rates for covered care. This directly affects school employees and school districts by standardizing their insurance contribution requirements and controlling healthcare costs.

Maddy summarySB 42 allocates $10 million from the state general fund to construct, equip, and furnish a new primary health care building in Taos County, directly benefiting residents by expanding local health services. The funds must be spent between fiscal years 2027 and 2030, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by 2030. This is a funding bill focused on physical infrastructure, not policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 59 creates the Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Trust Fund to provide financial assistance for infrastructure projects in New Mexico. It directly affects land grant communities (designated political subdivisions under state law) and acequias (community irrigation systems organized as political subdivisions). The bill establishes two project funds that distribute annual trust fund earnings to support qualified projects like water systems, roads, health facilities, and irrigation infrastructure repairs. Funding is allocated through a defined process managed by a council for land grants and a commission for acequias, with annual distributions triggered when the trust fund exceeds $5 million.

Maddy summarySB 76 increases New Mexico's gasoline tax from 17 cents to 23 cents per gallon and raises the special fuel excise tax from 21 cents to 26 cents per gallon. This bill directly affects all consumers and businesses purchasing gasoline or special fuels in New Mexico, as it raises the cost per gallon for these products. The key change is the specific tax rate increase for both fuel types, effective July 1, 2026. The bill makes no other policy changes beyond adjusting these excise tax rates.

Maddy summarySB 44 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NM Tech) for seismology equipment and expanding monitoring capabilities at its Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. The funding, to be used in fiscal year 2027, supports partnership with the Energy Department’s Oil Conservation Division to enhance seismic monitoring. Unspent funds at year-end would revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects NM Tech’s geology bureau and the state’s oil conservation operations through infrastructure upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 186 increases tax credits for landowners who donate property for conservation or preservation purposes. For donations made on or after July 1, 2026, it raises the credit to 80% of the land's fair market value (up from 50%), with a new $2 million annual cap (up from $250,000). The credit is refundable (meaning taxpayers receive cash if it exceeds their tax bill) and can be transferred in $10,000 increments to other taxpayers. This directly affects landowners donating conservation easements or similar permanent interests to eligible public or private conservation groups, such as those preserving farmland, historic sites, or natural habitats.