Bills: HB13, HB13

Keywords: firearms, assault weapons, minors, prohibition, criminal penalties, HB13, Laken Riley Act, illegal immigration, immigration enforcement, ICE, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Department of Justice, DOJ, immigration detainer, detainer request, I-247, Law Enforcement Support Center, LESC, county jail

Transcript Highlights:

• The LESC recommendation is not zero as it shows on that line.
• LESC has the bilingual, multicultural, black, and Hispanic.
• The LESC recommendation has an amount.
• For this cycle, the Executive, LESC, and...
• And then the LESC recommendation is flat at 45. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that neither the executive nor LESC recommend that I can speak for LESC at least in saying
• LESC has been building its budget based on that 6 framework.
• So you'll notice that The executive has 38.5, LESC has 40.
• Both LESC and LFC have community schools on line 132.
• It is just a recommendation from the LESC and the executive.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether we want our LESC committee doing this work or not, Mr. Chair Jessica.
• And so the judge did not feel that he could compel LESC staff to uh Lead this work.
• And LESC and um so I just, I just wanted to respond to you on that.
• Chair, sorry, when I got off, uh, base with your, um, Oh, back to LESC.
• So there was considerable discussion in the court hearing concerning um LESC.

Transcript Highlights:

• LFC and LESC reached a consensus on Ed Fellows on row 91.
• Out-of-school learning on row 92, where LESC has $20 million.
• in the LESC column compared to $15.3 million.
• So we're splitting up that recommendation in the LESC bucket.
• Those are both LESC endorsed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Compensation, I think, we think, is the one area of the LESC recommendation where LESC is likely to be
• Our LESC budget separates those out.
• Next up, we've got the LESC-endorsed legislation proposals.
• Chairman, I move that the LESC endorse this bill.
• It is not in. from LESC, the $80 million.

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our amazing LESC staff here.
• And that last column is the LESC recommendation for the SEG.
• Today is the LESC endorsed legislation.
• The LESC has endorsed it a couple of times.
• Again, LESC will be in the room with us on a regular basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• So overall for LESC, we had a 9% increase.
• LESC, 18.3 million for LFC, so not a big difference. 3 million for LFC, so not a big difference.
• We're just going to go through a few of them that have key differences between LFC and LESC.
• Remember that LFC has 1; LESC has 3.
• This is why it's so important to have LESC in one week and LFC in another.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So overall for LESC, we had a 9% increase...
• Row Community Schools was also recommended by both LFC and LESC for PERF: $21.6 million for LESC and
• We're just going to go through a few of them that have key differences between LFC and LESC.
• Remember that LFC has 1; LESC has 3.
• If you look at the end of the sentence in the LESC column, you'll see that...

Transcript Highlights:

• Our public school finance for the LESC. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• LESC is doing its part to try to get more kids in school.
• I'm the staff director at LESC. to being your director.
• I was the deputy director at LESC for about two and a half years.
• We're going to have John back to present the LESC budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that, I think, as LESC staff, is the core of the issue.
• But as LESC staff, we wanted to say that PED's proposal, But as LESC staff, we wanted to say that PED's
• Thank you, LESC, for having me here.
• Chair and members of the LESC. It's great to see you all. Good afternoon, Mr.
• Chair and members of the LESC. It's great to see you all.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• out those different coherence areas and thinking through your committee roadmap at LESC that many of
• or other groups besides the LESC.
• We would have companies coming in or groups coming in and doing the work instead of the LESC.
• And LESC actually studied that several years ago. And those proposals Haven't moved forward.
• I know is through the LESC process. So but again it's.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 82 is a bill that is endorsed by both the LESC and the Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task
• He's here and works for LESC, and he was really instrumental on the draft of this bill, so he'll be up
• To support a variety of initiatives, this being one of them in the LESC recommendation. Mr.
• In the case of the LESC recommendation, the STEM network would be one of those things.
• This data does get presented to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) on an annual basis,

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate you being here with the LESC.
• We look forward to the LESC report on this issue and hope that the legislature will work with NEA New
• And a couple of years ago, um, when the LESC really pushed for a higher share of uh coverage for our
• Chairman, members of the committee, my name is Daniel, and I cover public school finance for the LESC
• So, last October, LESC recommended to you all that you make an appropriation to rebuild that fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative Roybo Caballero, the bill does direct us to study together, so PED, LESC,... ..
• And I’ll point to our LESC analysis for this bill.
• Could you talk to us about the chart on page four of the LESC analysis?
• …us about the chart on page four of the LESC analysis. Mr. Chair, I’ve got multiple versions.
• I believe that was at the November LESC meeting. And thank you for that. And then we voted on...

Bills: SB23, SB73, SB210, SB234, SB243, SB244, SM16

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, driver education, driver's ed, driving school, motorcycle safety, traffic safety, vulnerable road users, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, cyclist, bike lane, micromobility, scooter, moped, motorcycle training, DWI prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And to Director Sena and the incredible LESC staff, Director Salih, and the incredible LFC staff we've
• Much like there's good collaboration across LESC and LFC.
• The LESC has already come out with their budget.
• And that we would really hope to have the support of both the LESC and LFC.
• They just designated... see Co-Chair or Vice Chair of LESC Romero.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back to I was gonna say Senate Education, since Senate Education, the LESC, the 2nd day.
• Every column after that are the recommendations from LESC, the executive, and LFC.
• And I do, I do want to point out that um if you look at the LESC recommendation versus what actually
• Uh, and we look forward to working closely with the LESC Committee and especially those with expertise
• At LESC and as LESC staff, so we're engaging in this continuous cycle of adaptive policymaking, and all

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are the amendments worked on by this group that I mentioned: PED, LESC, Rep. S.
• And the LESC can consider how to streamline requirements before more are added. Thank you.
• And I know the whole LESC committee was so excited about that.
• My expert is from LESC, Justin Hathway, and from PED, Amanda DeBelle. Licensure.
• My expert is from LESC, Jessica Hathaway, and from PED, Amanda DeBelle.

Bills: SB234, SB210, SB243, SB244, SM16, HB8

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• Following the executive order, the LESC, you will hear. Held listening sessions across the state.
• In response, the LESC recommended a differential payment.
• The LC LESC then convened working groups to shape this recommendation.
• And I really look forward to the partnership with LESC with, with this committee as well as LESC staff
• as the judge said, he does not have jurisdiction over the LESC.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have our LESC experts here as well, so if there's something for the department or for LESC,
• Both LESC and LFC have both recommendations... ...potentially maintaining the status quo, and both LESC
• Sorry, LESC.
• I just have a quick question for the folks that are on LESC. Has this been brought up at LESC?
• Yeah, I think that CTE has definitely been a priority for the LESC.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The meeting began as an informal education budget work group focused on reviewing a revised House Appropriations and Finance Committee scenario and flagging concerns rather than taking votes. Staff outlined the main changes from the LFC recommendation, including moving the statewide student information system appropriation, adding funding for the Black, Bilingual, Multicultural and Hispanic Education Act, universal school meals overrun costs, an evidence-based CTE pilot with a 50% local match, STEM network funding, wellness room pilots, Martinez-Yazzie action plan items, and changes to innovation zone and out-of-school time appropriations. A separate handout on the seven-year CTE pilot explained spending patterns, reversions, and possible federal maintenance-of-effort concerns if the state continues funding beyond a true pilot. Members then debated CTE extensively, with several arguing it improves attendance, graduation, and career readiness and should be sustained or expanded, especially in rural areas, while staff and others emphasized that much of the current funding has gone to general operational costs rather than intentional program design and that regional or matched funding models may be more effective. Members also discussed STEM and math initiatives, the need for more industry involvement, and whether the proposed match requirements would be too burdensome for smaller districts and BIE schools. The discussion also covered the Black, Hispanic, and Multilingual Education Acts and the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit. Some members stressed that the acts should be explicitly named in the budget language and not merely implied, while staff said the scenario reaffirms prior commitments by building the costs into agency operating budgets. Members raised concerns about charter school hold-harmless funding, declining enrollment, and the need to align spending with the needs of at-risk students. The work group ended the education portion without any votes, with staff noting they would incorporate the feedback and return with clarifications, including on CTE funding, the educational acts, and the charter hold-harmless item. The meeting then shifted to the child well-being and early childhood work group, where staff presented a revised Early Childhood Education and Care Department scenario. The proposal moved money toward child care assistance and early pre-K, kept the FIT program funding level unchanged, and used a mix of trust fund, TANF, federal, and operating-budget adjustments to close part of the gap between the executive and LFC recommendations. Members questioned the policy direction, especially the shift toward infant and toddler care and pre-K expansion, the impact on school-age child care, and the implications for continuity of care and provider costs. Staff explained that the scenario prioritizes younger children and at-risk families, includes language for a wage and career ladder, and would require legislation to raise the early childhood trust fund distribution cap from 500 to 525. Members also discussed a separate proposed CYFD pilot bill (HB 65), which would be distinct from ECECD funding. No votes were taken, and staff said they would return with more cost information on full pre-K plus wraparound care. A final work group reviewed C2 and Department of Information Technology-related appropriations. Staff compared the LFC and executive recommendations for new funding and reauthorizations, noting that the LFC generally limited new projects while the executive funded more. Members discussed several IT modernization requests, including the Secretary of State’s voter registration and election management systems, the Spaceport Authority, Game and Fish, the State Engineer’s WATERS system, ECECD’s FitKids and EPIC replacement discovery, and Aging and Long-Term Services’ enterprise system modernization. The main themes were whether to fund planning versus full replacement, how to avoid piecemeal spending, and whether new systems should wait for incoming leadership. The Secretary of State’s office said its system is nearing end of life and the planning funds would help prepare a realistic replacement request, while other agencies described aging infrastructure, cybersecurity risks, and the need for modernization. The work group did not vote on any of the items and ended with staff noting additional follow-up on funding needs and reauthorization details.