[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6285269,"mediaKeyId","2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca","parentId",2573935,"title","Committee advances bill to expand in‑state tuition eligibility for adult learners and immigrant taxpayers","audioSeconds",3689,"startMs",4160000,"endMs",7849000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca&start=4160&end=7849","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca/thumbnail_4160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6285269/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-bill-to-expand-instate-tuition-eligibility-for-adult-learners-and-immigrant-taxpayers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285269-a5079e285029c59316ca9e381d0cdc5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974510&Signature=JrAKbvP2b3ap7dvWK2xa7vaRRTwWkt2crn7B0CvPcu3nDSYzcxMmPwLaxbPG0odlSrZt8~eyxaG2-LnEKN~FC8k8nIORokKU71VjXpO5bJORsA6Cv0~ThG2Q100SGtui6-n715uf4nr7ERkx6V5K0UsXnaXa-UVK3ibSLEs5X5WWiS2T-h~YkPn0vD3hb4UzVI~DVbsFCRLSvjzQ~OPREBFMmCSTzXtrH-gh99LUqXNkdKD35aekQ8C-a2TfsUfECZw9HJcG4k4yy9ocCQa2C8Wy7NnWiMxJWHbA6yoDeLf--ZjFBrUbJGe4TSZwZNv5vbal1KWbX4L3MAw2L4VFlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Education Committee voted to advance House Bill 64 after extensive testimony that the measure would expand eligibility for reduced in‑state tuition and certain state tuition supports to adult learners, immigrant workers who file New Mexico income taxes and young people applying for special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS).

Representatives and witnesses framed HB 64 as workforce development. Representative Chavira (presenting) said the change would help “hardworking New Mexicans” access certificate and noncredit training in high-demand fields such as health care, HVAC and welding. Gabriela Iván Díaz Guzmán, staff attorney at Somos Un Pueblo Unido, explained the bill’s mechanics, saying the proposal would add criteria that mirror existing residency tests: attendance at an adult-education program for at least one year, two consecutive years of New Mexico income-tax filing, or pending SIJS for youth under 21.

Multiple community members testified in support, including workers and adult learners who said they pay state taxes and face tuition barriers. One witness said, “With in state tuition, my school fees would be cut by, more than half. I could continue studying and grow in my health work field.” The New Mexico Independent Community Colleges and other educational organizations testified in support, noting the bill would expand access to training in rural areas and industries with labor shortages.

Committee members pressed witnesses on documentation, verification, and the interplay with federal immigration and financial-aid rules. Senator Ezell raised questions about special immigrant juvenile status timelines and the risk that an SIJS application could remain pending; witnesses said SIJS approvals can take months to more than a year but that the memorial and state rules would permit eligible applicants to access tuition benefits while their federal application is pending.

The committee recorded a do-pass recommendation by a 5–4 vote and advanced HB 64 to the next legislative step.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - Education Mar 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Education Committee voted to advance House Bill 64 after extensive testimony that the measure would expand eligibility for reduced in‑state tuition and certain state tuition supports to adult learners, immigrant workers who file New Mexico income taxes and young people applying for special immigrant juvenile status.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",78419,"location","New Mexico","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285274,"Committee approves bill to require AEDs and cardiac plans in schools, with phased implementation",480,3820000,4300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca&start=3820&end=4300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca/thumbnail_3820000.jpg","/articles/6285274/New-Mexico/Committee-approves-bill-to-require-AEDs-and-cardiac-plans-in-schools-with-phased-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285274-4a3168dc2de746b8aaab10415d542b1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974510&Signature=alH2Xd8Mb87wEldzHFMG5nH9nRL05ahEI9jPI~sVfEX9kROLDDp2XOw~lGPSPhxcSPWaR7IdYOHN9mkWJG5mB-9ECEvlnfU1idA8DMH-hA3jyKtyk4OMc1T79-JZndMr80m~ZqiegwbiJbvltkbcavP5rp4U7cOChePF0S3UNQwCSpTYvLh8Hvc2L1c0hC3RuzvuLB6x63fVsOAmeR5hTIh4uHfsqU~K1zIz2DJBcmIWBvpfg9PCqLbP9utLyGaagJmIgrISEi3EeVmhcx2twsSyqfBUdIFO6P6GGDkkxIQr-h1UN-RWiuEi5J24ZbU~IJ7l8ybE2UKEoLrd0U0N0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended passage of substitute House Bill 54 after adopting an amendment that phases installation and planning for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiac emergency response plans across school types.

Monej Sita of the American Heart Association described the amendment and the bill’s intent: “The intent of this bill is to have AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans in all high schools in the first year… and the following year would be all schools, including the charter schools.” The amendment delays implementation in elementary schools to allow time for procurement and training.

Representative Herndon, presenting the bill, said the measure would add a statutory definition of AED and would require schools to install an AED on campus as part of the Emergency Medication in Schools Act. Committee members asked about the number of incidents and cost. Witnesses said AEDs range in price and described a funding path: an existing appropriation bill (Senate Bill 494) included funding to start procurement and training.

Committee discussion highlighted local flexibility for cardiac emergency response plans and training. A committee member cited recent cases in which trained staff used AEDs successfully. One witness referenced numbers saying “34 students… have been, needing an AED,” underscoring the testimony that AED access has saved lives.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice and recorded a unanimous do-pass recommendation (7–0, two excused).","The committee unanimously recommended substitute House Bill 54, which adds automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiac emergency response plans to school preparedness rules; the committee adopted an amendment phasing implementation and gave the bill a unanimous do-pass recommendation.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285279,"Committee endorses memorial urging joint bilingual education degree and supports workforce pipeline",991,2745000,3736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca&start=2745&end=3736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca/thumbnail_2745000.jpg","/articles/6285279/New-Mexico/Committee-endorses-memorial-urging-joint-bilingual-education-degree-and-supports-workforce-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285279-840114d2999ad1fa544999c71accf2f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974510&Signature=gXsWVyxL-hPaYEne-XmgKzS1ucnreP~vC7401eQTqTsz5nvkgwDpDgQG8EnsK-fabZuxroI9J~EacDcAlyhDSj~9cH86dWrW17gwt4N2bZJ--WCzn1Ca1TcM63XNx3GI5dIRz53ff6kwD2QVIhuOd4-hSVyVqmTNrpIi31wHK9s7yAUWLvXhbczvbS~n-E~~whuJh46JOFOqV6~J5Lc5DSKR-kE47lMefn8kMobgV5I3Td7b4lg1Q-stfPH-FiY0D4zgcqqYm8mrWv77mYOIFNxyD6pqNoB4lB3-RqH9KND6r1jU0ZJS4M-EldnWnhTe1PMeGIoGjkAkkhc7WhZiIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee gave Senate Joint Memorial 3 a due-pass recommendation after witnesses and higher education representatives said the state must expand bilingual teacher preparation to meet student needs.

Sponsor testimony said New Mexico is linguistically diverse and faces a shortage of bilingual educators. The sponsor said, “By expanding bilingual faculty in our higher ed institutions, we can build a sustainable pipeline…,” and outlined requests that include a joint bilingual education degree across named state universities, increased scholarships for bilingual-degree students, and college credit for a state seal of bilingualism and biliteracy.

Dr. Elizabeth Valenzuela, chair of the Department of Teacher Education at New Mexico Highlands University and executive director of the New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education, described multi-year work to build degree pathways and answered technical questions about coursework and program design.

Patricia Trujuan, deputy cabinet secretary at the Higher Education Department, said HED stands in technical support and described how institutions could collaborate to expand capacity at campuses that do not currently host full bilingual-education departments.

Committee members asked about credit hours, program feasibility within existing degree frameworks, and whether the memorial would create administrative burdens; witnesses said institutions have been working on this alignment for years and would coordinate with HED. The committee recorded a due-pass recommendation and advanced the memorial for further action.","The committee gave a due-pass recommendation to Senate Joint Memorial 3, which urges higher-education institutions to develop joint bilingual education degrees, expand scholarships and support bilingual faculty to address a shortage of bilingual teachers; the committee voted to advance the memorial 5-0.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285284,"Committee backs bill to set school library review rules, protect librarians",2591,92000,2683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca&start=92&end=2683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca/thumbnail_92000.jpg","/articles/6285284/New-Mexico/Committee-backs-bill-to-set-school-library-review-rules-protect-librarians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285284-25df917226b24954736070bed1e80040/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974510&Signature=mHeaibYg1F-RVA85mNf-Lh99isyV9FRlZb27Zppt8~w--odIymukymm8qbYj3EZxx7YKP3yVG31yRwIXQnRR~kGZ0QpNwC-cdk60-8omCt97AdH~sKtFskFkbjDTUI9j7SSm0i8TDNtWiPA2zbs1Eg~SUhBj1X-lPU0RZH0WMFnW3v86286DZOyKhTXyLzpo-2XnPEx28Q1WSq6YhGhGe0jaDFFwrkFqT7SNEMndPOPbLGJOUNZB-1teSCMGj~GhyJ8nWSsaq3c17hJNHWbdmEYNPqY2Q83Tr1U6kf08SD4aPY-hVfl8mq7YTleHDd3EkLa1wcxKp3nExU8HIC0fvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee recommended Senate Bill 552 on a 4-3 vote after hearing supporters and opponents debate whether the bill strikes the right balance between parental input and librarians’ professional judgment.

Supporters said the measure creates transparent local procedures and legal protections for school librarians. Desiree Condit, store manager of Books on the Bosque, said, “I stand in strong support of SB 552.” John Dirich of the American Federation of Teachers in New Mexico told the committee, “We also really like that this does not fully, remove a an opportunity for members of the school community to have questions about what materials are presented in school libraries, but it does ensure that those folks making those, potential challenges are actual members of that school community.”

Sponsor remarks and proponents framed the bill as a procedural safeguard. Senator Cedillo Lopez said the bill “protects librarians from termination, demotion, of disciplining for refusing to remove a book before the…book has been reviewed in accordance of the established rules.” Later the sponsor told the committee, “The material that we're trying to protect is the material that is protected by freedom of speech under the New Mexico constitution and the United States constitution.”

Opponents argued the bill is too broad or opaque. Damara Andrade, who identified herself as opposing SB 552, said the legislation “does not strike the right balance between protecting the innocence and the psychology of our children” and called for tighter review timelines and clearer treatment of material already in collections.

The bill requires each local school board and charter governing body to establish written policies for acquisition, retention, display and reconsideration of library resources that comply with the bill’s standards; it also includes a provision that a library staff member “shall not be subject to termination, demotion, discipline, or retaliation” for refusing to remove a resource before a formal review is completed.

Committee members questioned how the bill would apply to existing materials and how local policies would incorporate parental input. A librarian witness described common practice: “We read reviews, School Library Journal, what grades is this reviewed for? …we try really hard not to make decisions as ourselves as individuals but for the community.”

The committee recorded a do-pass recommendation on SB 552 by a 4-3 tally and advanced the measure to the next step in the Senate process.","The Senate Education Committee recommended Senate Bill 552 after testimony that the measure would require written acquisition and reconsideration policies for school libraries and shield librarians from discipline while materials are under review; the measure passed the committee 4-3.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6285264,"Committee advances memorial urging K–12 water conservation curriculum",156,7582000,7738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca&start=7582&end=7738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2573935-f4252d7b59bb95e76bba1b96b349fdca/thumbnail_7582000.jpg","/articles/6285264/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-memorial-urging-K12-water-conservation-curriculum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6285264-8890c1d9903dd63e57654c10165aaec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770974510&Signature=D7m1UHE9jzPk2JlXFF~1Udy57T2qdySpNcdF0bwn3C-kQPCz8TOSMb5exSBBkhYq2pXpGOkfdCI8t5dm5pIBK-PZAE01lx0nc0G9yr7ooMZbmCEJ60jrLVoAiUYUmgBimDvYnFcvxLZkbkeqHB6TmGD6QmzhyKtNgMdItYnP2kGqRoqd~Y03kvnHsxM~cZRjZzTbIYmM2VUS6-hzsk0hAptmuMLu1oOGmfWiKYPnoSiYKugsYq6hQ-ylvcSh456lROk8T971ynjCRWtxHz~MTNi9oHA6zYANcd1AU-KtUW-kIBTNErhOpF2ZhLOm~m3wDM6W~jPeDuwL3cVSvYFYTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Memorial 22, urging K–12 water-conservation curriculum development, received a due-pass recommendation after sponsors argued that educating young people about water resources is critical to long-term stewardship.

The sponsor said the memorial was prompted by concerns raised at a recent water symposium and stated, “we need to work with our young people that they understand what we have, the value we have, the asset we have in New Mexico is water.” The memorial would encourage curriculum development and educational outreach to K–12 students to build awareness about water conservation and stewardship.

Committee members supported the concept and moved a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded a yes vote and advanced the memorial for further consideration.","The committee gave a due-pass recommendation to Senate Memorial 22, which urges development of K–12 water-conservation curriculum to teach students about water value and stewardship; the memorial passed the committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to expand in‑state tuition eligibility for adult learners and immigrant taxpayers

Committee approves bill to require AEDs and cardiac plans in schools, with phased implementation

Committee endorses memorial urging joint bilingual education degree and supports workforce pipeline

Committee backs bill to set school library review rules, protect librarians

Committee advances memorial urging K–12 water conservation curriculum