SB 123 allocates $1.2 million from the state general fund to the Public Education Department to provide grants to public schools for purchasing, installing, testing, or maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The funding is restricted to schools meeting specific requirements under state law and excludes urban-area schools from 2027 grants, with a maximum of $400,000 spent annually through fiscal year 2029. Unspent funds by 2029 will revert to the general fund. This bill directly affects public schools seeking AED equipment funding, with no new mandates beyond the existing legal requirements for school AED programs.
This procedural memorial (HM 4) requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees across New Mexico's public universities. The study will examine current coverage gaps - such as UNM being the only institution providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate students - and evaluate options for expanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, including fiscal impacts and workforce effects, with a report due by October 2026.
HB 218 strengthens New Mexico's Attendance for Success Act by making it a crime for parents to allow continued school absences after a student is reported to juvenile probation services for excessive absenteeism. It directly affects parents of students identified as excessively absent who fail to address the issue following school interventions. Key provisions require schools to report cases to juvenile probation, which then investigates potential neglect; if parents continue allowing absences after reporting, they face penalties including fines ($50-$100 for first offense, up to $500 or 6 months jail for repeat offenses). The bill focuses on enforcement, not new support services, shifting responsibility to parents for maintaining school attendance after formal reporting.
SB 124 creates a new state fund to support major capital projects at New Mexico's public colleges and universities. The fund finances research/instruction facilities costing $50 million or more at four-year universities, and student housing/life projects (like recreation centers and dining halls) at all public institutions. Projects must meet matching requirements (10-50% from non-state sources like bonds or fees), with waivers possible if institutions can't afford the match. The bill also requires graduation rate data for Division I athletic facility projects and mandates documentation on student population needs for new facilities.
SB 45 requires New Mexico's public colleges and universities to establish clear policies for managing library resources, including how to handle removal requests. The bill prohibits libraries from removing books, digital materials, or other resources based on the content's author, topic, or audience (e.g., race, gender, or political views), and mandates that only students may request removals. Libraries must follow a uniform process involving written decisions explaining the reasoning, review the resource as a whole, and wait for final approval before removal - preventing snap decisions. The policy also protects library staff from retaliation for refusing to remove materials before a final decision or acting in good faith under the rules. Institutions must adopt these policies by September 1, 2026.
HB 236 allocates $2 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center for its "Pathways Statewide Collaborative" program. The funding supports health professional pathway programs, including STEM education and health sciences training, as well as youth leadership development activities. Any unspent funds at the end of fiscal year 2027 must be returned to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM Health Sciences Center programs and the students participating in these pathway initiatives.
HB 170 appropriates $1.4 million from the state general fund to the University of New Mexico's Board of Regents for its Basic Needs Project during fiscal year 2027. The funds will support UNM's existing program addressing student needs like food and housing insecurity. Any unspent money at year-end must revert to the state general fund. This bill directly affects UNM students through its funding mechanism, with no new policy requirements beyond the financial allocation.
SB 34 requires New Mexico's Public Education Department to publish annual data on standards-based assessment results by September 1 each year. The report must include proficiency rates by subject, grade, and student demographics (such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and poverty level). This data must be posted on the department's website in an accessible, user-friendly format for parents and the public. The bill aims to increase transparency about school performance across different student groups.
SB 142 extends the authorization to issue up to $10 million annually in severance tax bonds for education technology infrastructure in New Mexico until July 1, 2030. The bonds, certified by the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and sold by the State Board of Finance, fund school technology upgrades like broadband and digital tools. Proceeds are directed to an education technology infrastructure fund for public school systems. This maintains funding for school technology infrastructure projects beyond the current authorization period.
HB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.
