TRADE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE ACT

HB 272, the Trade Education Assistance Act, creates a state-funded stipend program to support New Mexico residents pursuing trade education. It provides up to $30,000 annually for living expenses to eligible individuals (New Mexico residents without bachelor's degrees, with dependents, enrolled in department-approved trade programs like construction licensing). The program allocates $100 million from the general fund (non-reverting, meaning unused funds carry over), with the Higher Education Department administering the program and reporting annually on fund usage. The bill was introduced in 2025 but was postponed indefinitely by the House on June 3, 2025.