Education

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 233: HIGH-IMPACT TUTORING FOR SOME STUDENTS

SB 233 requires New Mexico public schools to provide high-impact tutoring to students in grades 4-8 who score in the bottom 25% on statewide math or reading assessments. Schools must identify these students annually, notify parents within 30 days, and deliver individualized tutoring at least three times weekly for ten weeks, with a maximum 4:1 student-to-tutor ratio. The tutoring must use aligned materials, include parent progress reports, and can replace or supplement existing remediation programs under state law. This directly affects students with academic deficiencies and public schools in New Mexico’s K-8 system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates targeted tutoring for struggling students, expanding educational support and access per state assessment data95% confidence

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died · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 282: SCHOOL & JUVENILE PROBATION COOPERATION

HB 282 requires schools and juvenile probation services to collaborate on addressing student absenteeism under New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act. It mandates probation officers to review school attendance records for students with legal issues, initiate support for chronically absent students (missing 10%+ school days), and report persistent absences to children's courts. The bill also allows courts to suspend driving privileges for excessively absent students (20%+ absences) at probation's request and makes it a crime for parents to allow continued absences after probation is notified. These provisions directly affect students, parents, schools, and juvenile probation services by creating new pathways for intervention and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates probation-school collaboration to address absenteeism, preventing youth involvement in justice system - aligns with reform goals of reducing recidivism through early intervention.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school-probation collaboration to reduce absenteeism, supporting student attendance and school engagement under New Mexico's education-focused law.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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passed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 23: EXCEPTIONS TO STUDENT USE OF PHONES

SB 23 requires all New Mexico public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy prohibiting student use of phones, tablets, and other wireless devices during the school day, with specific exceptions. These exceptions include using devices for educational purposes with teacher permission, managing health emergencies, or for accessibility tools like text-to-speech software required by a student’s individualized education plan. The bill also creates a $1 million annual grant program through the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund to support schools implementing this policy, allowing them to apply for funding to upgrade technology infrastructure. The policy must be published online by each school district and includes procedures for handling device confiscation during violations. This directly affects all public school students and staff in New Mexico’s 33 school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill includes $1M annual grant program for schools, directly funding educational initiatives per support indicators.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts student device use in schools, limiting technology access during school hours despite educational exceptions, aligning with 'limits' under oppose indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Telecommunications

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 309: LOTTERY DEPOSITS INTO TUITION FUND

SB 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates lottery revenue deposits into tuition fund, increasing state funding for education via fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates lottery revenue deposits into tuition fund with $43M+ annual minimums, directly increasing education funding per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 297: UNM PROJECT ECHO

HB 297 allocates $2.4 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Board of Regents for Project ECHO's literacy support programs. The funding will directly support educators in New Mexico schools by providing training and resources to improve literacy instruction methods. It covers fiscal years 2027 through 2029, with any unspent funds returning to the state treasury by 2029. This is a funding bill focused on enhancing educator capacity, not a policy change affecting broader public law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.4M state funds to UNM education literacy programs, increasing public service funding per budget & taxes indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2.4M for UNM Project ECHO literacy training, directly funding educator capacity to improve school literacy instruction per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 57: BILINGUAL EDUCATOR CREDENTIALING

This House Memorial (HM 57) requests the Legislative Education Study Committee to examine best practices for credentialing bilingual educators in New Mexico. The study will involve the public education department, higher education institutions, and professional organizations like the New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education, with a focus on improving how bilingual educators are certified. It requires a report by August 15, 2026, to inform future actions on credentialing standards. This request does not change current laws but aims to address a shortage of qualified bilingual educators affecting students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequests study to improve bilingual educator credentialing standards, supporting teacher certification and educational access for bilingual students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 53: STUDY "GIFTED-IN-FIELD" TEACHER ENDORSEMENT

This memorial requests New Mexico's Public Education Department to study creating a "gifted in-field" teacher endorsement for secondary school educators. It asks the department to collaborate with universities and organizations to examine how teachers with deep content expertise (e.g., in math or science) plus gifted education knowledge could better serve secondary gifted students. The study would evaluate criteria for this endorsement, aiming to address current gaps where teachers lack subject-specific expertise while teaching gifted students. This would primarily affect secondary gifted education teachers and the students they serve.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests study to create teacher endorsement for gifted students, aiming to enhance educator expertise and address gaps in serving gifted learners within K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 330: AI ETHICS AS SCHOOL SCIENCE ELECTIVE

HB 330 would add "AI Ethics" as an approved elective course option for New Mexico high school students to fulfill graduation requirements. Specifically, it amends the state's graduation standards (Section K(7)) to explicitly include AI Ethics among the valid electives alongside courses like career clusters, financial literacy, and media literacy. This change directly affects high school students seeking to meet their seven and one-half elective unit requirement for graduation. The bill does not alter other graduation requirements but expands the available course options students can choose to satisfy their elective needs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds AI Ethics as mandatory elective option, expanding curriculum choices and student program access per graduation standards (Section K(7))95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds AI Ethics as high school elective, promoting education on ethical AI development and use within technology policy framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 304: NM NEXT GENERATION ACT & FUNDS

SB 304 creates the "New Mexico Next Generation Act" to provide financial support for New Mexico-born children meeting specific residency requirements. It establishes two funds: the Next Generation Trust Fund (for long-term investment) and the Baby Bonds Fund, which will distribute money for education or housing costs to eligible beneficiaries aged 18-40 after completing a financial literacy course. The bill exempts these benefits from state income tax and requires data sharing between health and child welfare agencies to verify eligibility. It explicitly states that benefits are not guaranteed and funds won’t count as assets for need-based assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts benefits from state income tax and funds public assistance programs through dedicated trusts.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly allocates funds for education costs via Baby Bonds Fund, allowing beneficiaries to use funds for education after financial literacy course, directly advancing educational access and financial support.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates Baby Bonds Fund for housing costs (ages 18-40) after financial literacy, directly funding housing expenses per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 280: YOUTH INTERNSHIP PILOT PROJECT

HB 280 creates a three-year pilot program in New Mexico that provides grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, and tribal entities to fund paid internships for youth aged 14-22. The grants supplement internship pay (requiring shared funding from host organizations), cover support services like career counseling, and must collect data on outcomes such as internship completion and post-internship employment. The Workforce Solutions Department will administer the program, requiring grantees to have complaint systems and report annually to the legislature. The bill appropriates $250,000 (2027-2029) for this initiative, with unspent funds reverting to the general fund by 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds via grants to support youth internships, increasing government spending on workforce development programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds paid internships for youth via grants, covering career counseling and outcome tracking, directly enhancing educational access and workforce readiness through school partnerships.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds paid internships for youth (14-22) with shared funding, career counseling, and outcome tracking under employment standards, directly advancing youth employment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Career & Technical Education Child Labor

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