Committee passes several bills and memorials; HB 593 tabled after malpractice dispute

At a meeting of the House Human Services Committee, members considered several bills and memorials; most received committee action while one major package was tabled.

Votes at a glance - Senate Bill 53 (prescribing psychologists cleanup): Committee gave a due pass after brief presentation and no opposition. - Senate Bill 45, as amended (county health assistance/indigent fund flexibility): Committee gave a due pass (6–2). Sponsors said the bill would allow counties more flexibility to use local indigent funds to buy premiums or pay some direct medical expenses; supporters included county health directors and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. - Senate Bill 105 (social‑work interstate licensure compact, committee substitute): Committee gave a due pass on the Judiciary Committee substitute (9–0). Sponsors removed a qualified‑immunity provision and said they would document state legal differences in a letter to the interstate compact commission. - Senate Bill 118 (motor vehicle organ‑donor checkbox and registry): Committee gave a due pass to the committee substitute (voice vote noted as 8–0). The bill directs the Motor Vehicle Division to add a registrant checkbox and place information into an organ‑donor registry. - House Memorial 53 (task force on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia programs): Due pass (8–0). The memorial requests coordinated study and planning among state agencies and advocacy groups. - House Memorial 56 (National Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month): Due pass (voice vote noted). Sponsors asked the Department of Health to collaborate with coalitions and agencies on screening and treatment awareness. - House Memorial 29 (limits on medical requirements for driver's‑license renewals for people with diabetes): Due pass (7–0).

A few details: Senate Bill 45: Senator Steinborn, sponsor of the county‑fund expansion bill, said the change would allow counties to leverage indigent gross‑receipts taxes to purchase comprehensive coverage rather than only paying limited fee‑for‑service items. Dona Ana County Health Director Jamie Michael testified the measure would add flexibility without requiring counties to participate.

Senate Bill 105: Sponsors removed a qualified‑immunity clause and said New Mexico law already provides immunities for certain public actors under the Tort Claims Act; they plan to send an explanatory letter to the compact commission. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Defense (on military family workforce mobility), and mental‑health advocates.

Senate Bill 118: The committee approved a substitute requiring the Motor Vehicle Division to add an organ‑donor checkbox by Jan. 1, 2026, and encouraged outreach to inform the public about the registry.

Memorials: Committee members unanimously supported memorials asking state agencies to study and coordinate responses to Alzheimer’s disease and maternal mental health, and to review licensing renewal requirements affecting people with diabetes.

Procedural outcomes: Several items passed by voice vote or unanimous roll call and the committee adopted substitutes as noted. Sponsors and supporters frequently said they would pursue implementation steps with state agencies if the measures advance through subsequent committees and the Legislature.