Transcript Highlights:

• and in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Music Supports the cultural interests of a large portion of the state of New Mexico.
• the state of New Mexico.
• of New Mexico can make a decision.
• At the time, New Mexico was not at the bottom of all of the rankings.

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Whitney Holland, President of AOT New Mexico.
• New Mexico students.
• There is a fabulous physical science laboratory at New Mexico State University.
• So this memorial resolves that the physical science laboratory of New Mexico State be recognized and
• So again, it's something that we are proud to. host to be a part of New Mexico State University, and

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be a new replacement of Section 8.
• There would be a new replacement of Section 8, since there's no compensation, that would become where
• And again, the 30% is a new phenomenon in the last couple of years.
• And again, the 30% is a new phenomenon in the last couple of years.
• You started out this oil boom with This is a new phenomenon in the last couple of years.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• Want the good news or the bad news, Senator Ramos? There's one week left in the session.
• Can we talk a little bit of capital outlay? We start an initiative of a quorum.
• I'm the director of the State Board of Finance. Okay.
• We had to bring all of our stuff. We had to sit in front of a committee.
• of $165 billion.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be a new replacement of Section 8.
• There would be a new replacement of Section 8, since there's no compensation, that would become where
• This is part of the reconciliation of the budget.
• And again, the 30% is a new phenomenon in the last couple of years.
• New phenomenon in the last couple of years. You started out.

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB2, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Summary: The committee reviewed drafting instructions and spending sheets for House Bill 2, focusing on both recurring and nonrecurring appropriations, reserve levels, and several late changes. Staff explained that the package would leave reserves around 28% under the current scenario, with the possibility of rising to about 30% if a separate natural disaster reform bill is enacted. Members discussed how disaster funding would be handled through a replacement Section 8 and the appropriation contingency fund, and whether the operating reserve could be tapped with explicit authorization. There was also clarification on fund types, including other state funds and interagency transfers, and on how line items were reflected in the spreadsheets. A major point of debate was how to offset additions by reducing funding elsewhere. Members discussed shifting money from the state fair/multipurpose arena request, the Office of Natural Resources Trustee, and other capital items to accommodate changes. Several senators raised concerns about cutting the Office of Natural Resources Trustee too deeply and about the purpose of those funds, including possible land purchases and floodplain mitigation in Ruidoso. The committee also discussed whether the state fair money should be reduced, with some members supporting a $25 million restoration and others preferring to leave the executive’s request intact. Staff noted that some reductions were not true cuts but swaps or offsets, such as moving local road money and using excess capital outlay reserves. Other corrections and policy items were addressed, including an increase for UNM and NMSU stadium funding, a correction to a project distribution on line 105, and funding for the Health Council. Members also noted that the public employee 1% raise was no longer funded because recurring capacity was used elsewhere, and that no COLA was included. After discussion, Senator Woods moved to adopt the drafting instructions, Senator Gonzalez seconded, and the motion passed without objection. The committee then directed staff to prepare a catch-up cleanup version of House Bill 2 for later review and said House Bill 8 would be taken up the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• of medicine in the state of New Mexico.
• The first big difference between Burrell and the University of New Mexico is research.
• culture of New Mexico.
• employee class within the University of New Mexico, and their employment is through the UNM School of
• I am a student at the University of New Mexico, where I study emergency medical services.

Bills: SB4, SB7, SB9, SB17

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• Mexico Council of University Presidents, representing our seven universities here in New Mexico.
• Chairman, members of the committee, I'm Sean Powell, president of Eastern New Mexico University at Roswell
• They're referencing New Mexico State and the University of New Mexico, respectively.
• Ryan Bergman from the University of New Mexico.
• of New Mexico.

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:

• I also have a lot of... Martinez versus State of New Mexico.
• I am showing support of this bill as a parent in New Mexico.
• In terms of the University of New Mexico, that's the only university I can speak to because I did not
• But at the University of New Mexico, we had a hard time keeping our math faculty.
• the board of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted.

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:

• I'm with the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, representing our seven universities here in
• of New Mexico School of Medicine.
• They're referencing New Mexico State and the University of New Mexico, respectively.
• Ryan Bergman from the University of New Mexico.
• of New Mexico.

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

Summary: The Senate Education Committee began by announcing that SB 210 would be rolled over to Friday and would not be heard. The committee then returned to SB 234, which would provide foster child school transportation funding statewide rather than only for Albuquerque Public Schools. Members adopted an amendment striking the APS-only language and making the bill statewide after testimony from the sponsor, PED, and others that foster youth transportation is a growing issue and should have its own funding stream. The committee discussed how the money might be distributed and whether the $1.2 million appropriation would be sufficient, then voted do pass on SB 234 as amended. The committee next heard HB 8, which creates a Higher Education Major Projects Fund for large capital projects that are difficult to fund through existing capital outlay processes. Testimony from the sponsor, LFC, HED, and university representatives explained that the bill would support projects such as the UNM School of Medicine, an NMSU multidisciplinary building, student housing, student life projects, and certain Division I athletic facilities, while requiring design readiness, institutional matches, and legislative oversight. Several senators raised concerns about the clarity of the prioritization process, the Division I-only athletics language, the recurring nature of future funding, and the relationship to other capital funding streams, but the committee ultimately voted do pass on HB 8. The committee then considered SB 243 and SB 244, nearly identical bills for UNM and NMSU that would each appropriate $5 million for student health, student support, nutrition, travel, scholarships, and other athletic department needs. Athletic directors testified that conference realignment, higher travel costs, nutrition demands, and new revenue-sharing/NIL obligations have increased expenses, and sponsors said the bills were intended as one-time appropriations. Some senators questioned whether the requests should be recurring or funded through university revenue rather than the state, but both bills received do pass recommendations. Finally, the committee heard SM 16, as amended, which asks HED to convene a task force to study parenting students in higher education and recommend ways to collect data and improve support. Supporters said better data is needed to understand barriers such as child care and transportation, and the memorial passed with a do pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned until Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee, Jamie Gonzalez, Public Charter Schools of New Mexico.
• I am showing support of this bill as a parent in New Mexico.
• In terms of the University of New Mexico, that's the only university I can speak to because I did not
• But at the University of New Mexico, we had a hard time keeping our math faculty.
• the Board of the New Mexico Association for the Gifted.

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

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 37, the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act, which would strengthen reading instruction and educator preparation around the science of reading. The sponsor and supporters said the bill requires evidence-based, culturally and linguistically responsive literacy instruction, including support for English learners and students in bilingual and dual-language programs, use of approved high-quality instructional materials for K-3 reading and interventions, a K-3 reading assessment, literacy coaches, and parent progress reports. An amendment package was adopted to clarify biliteracy language, broaden references to bilingual/dual-language and Indigenous language settings, remove awkward phrasing, and adjust reporting requirements from monthly to four times per school year. The committee then moved forward with the amended bill. Public testimony was largely supportive. Students, educators, school leaders, advocacy groups, and tribal representatives said structured literacy has improved reading outcomes and can help struggling readers, including students with dyslexia and multilingual learners. Several speakers emphasized that the amended bill better protects bilingual, dual-language, and Native language programs, and some noted the importance of parent communication and early intervention. Supporters also cited recent literacy gains in New Mexico and said the bill aligns teacher preparation, materials, assessment, and coaching. Opposition focused mainly on concerns that the bill could still privilege English over Indigenous languages, that high-quality materials requirements may be too restrictive or costly for districts, and that testing and reporting could add workload. Tribal speakers from Acoma and Taos said they could not support the bill without further changes to explicitly protect Native language revitalization. Other opponents raised concerns about funding for materials and coaches, the burden on teachers, and whether the assessment and HQIM requirements would be flexible enough for local needs. In committee discussion, the sponsor and PED said existing funds and staff could support implementation, that the assessment would be formative and teacher-focused, and that the bill was intended to complement, not replace, Native and bilingual education programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The University of New Mexico Museum of Southwestern Biology will be co-presenting this workshop to educate
• The State of New Mexico was not interested in these two sites.
• 341,000 acres of northern New Mexico with its attack.
• I'm the deputy director of the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• It's Larry Sontag here on behalf of New Mexico...

Bills: SB154, SB187, SB193, SM3

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, because of our wonderful universities, our national laboratories, and our historical legacy
• Vedro at the New Mexico Council of University Presidents represents the seven universities in New Mexico
• I'm with government relations at the University of New Mexico.
• But the folks at the University of New Mexico, they've been doing it since the 1990s.
• But the folks at the University of New Mexico, they've been doing it since the 1990s.

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• We changed the date of the sunset. Is that the only change in here?
• There's a little bit of a fray about House Bill 2 and what happened to the 1%.
• And remember, if you're making under $50,000, we're paying 100% of that.
• So there's a lot of money spent on our state employees. We've taken care of them very well.
• When do you anticipate doing the bill for the university fund? I don't know, we'll see.

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• and see our families after doing the service of the people of New Mexico.
• our health care providers an opportunity to work outside of New Mexico.
• allocated to the UNM School of Medicine, appropriation for a New Mexico State University capital outlay
• I'm the executive director of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, representing our seven
• universities in the state of New Mexico.

Bills: SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the state agency projects are for the benefit of local entities.
• That was one of the amendments that was done on the Senate floor.
• Chairman: Are you aware of the funds that are on line item 3738, or 3730, excuse me, the purchase of
• Mexico.
• Madam Chair, do you know the amount of the purchase?

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico will be taxing 100% of certain organizations' foreign income.
• of New Mexico—counties without any local news at all, including online or anything else.
• I'm Emily Wildau, Director of Policy for New Mexico Voices for Children.
• Regardless of party, we think it's good that New Mexico gets to decide New Mexico tax law, and so that's
• New Mexico, the citizens of New Mexico, those public employees that you made mention to in your comment

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Nathan Bush, and I am the Director of Government Relations at the University of New Mexico
• I'm also a student with New Mexico Highlands University.
• Members of the committee, good morning again. Nathan Bush with the University of New Mexico.
• New Mexico and for all our universities.
• We have Eastern New Mexico University, Eastern New Mexico Roswell, Eastern New Mexico Red Dozen.

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• on behalf of NEA New Mexico this morning.
• Good morning, I'm Ernesto Longa, full-time faculty at the University of New Mexico. for 19 years and
• President of United Academics of the University of New Mexico.
• My union represents full-time and part-time faculty at all five branches of the University of New Mexico
• There is open to all of the community, not just the University of New Mexico, which makes it really hard

Bills: SB106, SB171, SB179

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, is that this year the I-back with the University of New Mexico went out to bid as a single unit
• My name is Mark Svedra, and I'm the executive director of the New Mexico Council of the University Presidents
• Mark Seveather, with the New Mexico Council of University Presidents.
• I did do research at the University of New Mexico for six years in the epidemiology of type 2 diabetes
• areas in New Mexico Tech, but at the University of New Mexico.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• The New Mexico Wildlife Federation was instrumental in the creation of the first game commission back
• board president of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and I'm still an active member.
• So I'm going to be in support of your memorial. In northern New Mexico, insects are essential.
• an amendment to Article 12 of the New Mexico Constitution to move us back to a state board of education
• I think universally, people of New Mexico are tired of the whiplash effect that Senator Stewart mentioned

Bills: SB104, SJR3, SM3

Keywords: wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination