Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Madam Vice Chair, at the suggestion of the Secretary of Education. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I did work closely with the Secretary of Education, and we came to a meeting of the minds.
• group to evaluate the feasibility of the Space Commission allows New Mexico to coordinate industry, education
• we envision would be certainly a member who would sit on the commission who would represent the educational

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Bills: SB241

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• before I was in this body, I worked a lot on early childhood education efforts and initiatives.
• Early Learning Center.
• So I definitely urge passage of House Bill... ...628 for early childhood education. Thank you.
• So I definitely urge passage of House Bill 628 for early childhood education. Thank you.
• So to be clear, we support expanded access to early childhood education.

Bills: HCR47, HB628, HB737, HB1008, HB1062, HB1079, HB1112

Keywords: mandatory reporter, child abuse training, online training, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Education, educator requirements, early childhood education, microcenter, school board, cooperative endeavor, economic disadvantage, vaccination, meningococcal disease, school entry, immunization requirements, public health, academic freedom, free speech, retaliation, faculty rights

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or by another center with an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to children of active-duty military members, children in foster care, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive and not required. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from pre-K to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted both amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school and postsecondary entry. The author and supporters argued the vaccine should be a matter of parental choice and shared decision-making with doctors, citing updated CDC guidance and the low incidence of the disease. Opponents, including pediatricians, vaccine advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that the disease is fast-moving and severe, that the vaccine helps prevent outbreaks, and that existing opt-out provisions already provide flexibility. After extensive testimony, the motion to report HB 737 failed on a 4-8 vote. Next, the committee considered HB 628, as substituted, which would allow the Department of Education to license type 3 early learning centers to operate micro-centers at schools and expand access for three-year-olds. The author said the bill would help expand early childhood education, improve school readiness, and support working families. Department of Education staff explained the licensing and approval process, and supporters said the measure would improve access and transitions into kindergarten. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 628 by substitute. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008, which would prohibit public postsecondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor supporting the bill argued it would protect faculty expression and reduce self-censorship. The committee adopted two amendments that clarified the definition of academic freedom and tightened the remedies language. Testimony in support continued from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and the bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• act shall be construed to limit the language and culturally appropriate child care or limit any educational
• regulations... ...and culturally appropriate child care or limit any educational regulations adopted
• We use general fund and then we use the early childhood trust fund.
• You know, I've done education for the last 100 years.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section basically adds language into the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund, which is
• Child care facility, early interventions.
• Obviously, that's going to be a best educated guess.
• And as we move out of the 50th in education, the slow move, whether it's early childhood, child care,
• this all leads us to educating our kids better.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: 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, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Research consistently shows that quality early care and education improves educational outcomes, reduces
• institutions, and K-12 partners to build career pathways in early childhood education.
• We are leading the nation in the bookends of education in early childhood and higher education.
• they got high-quality early childhood education.
• And you'll regularly hear me say, because they got high-quality early childhood education.

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:

• education system.
• I'm a lifelong educator, and I've spent the last 24 years working in virtual education.
• Virtual learning education is an alternative education for multiple reasons for children K through 12
• Virtual learning education is an alternative education for multiple reasonings for children K through
• education system as a whole.

Bills: HB2, SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, 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

Bills: HB113, HB342, HB632, HB690, HB1003, HB1078, HB1132, HB1146

Keywords: grading scale, education reform, students, public schools, academic policy, special education, due process, local education agency, burden of proof, IEP, education law, data sharing, student information, privacy, education, LA FIRST, foreign adversaries, terrorism, contracting, school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico is ranked number one in early childhood education. That did not happen by accident.
• Last year, we needed a promise of new funding that raised salaries for early childhood education.
• My name is María Cristina Nieto and I am a teacher in early childhood education.
• I am an early childhood educator and I see the need for the teachers.
• So, first, the amendment lowers the authorization of transfers from the Early Childhood Education and

Bills: SB132, SB241

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Bills: HF719, HF2484, HF2486

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher education institutions.
• well in New Mexico in higher education and early childhood education.
• childhood education and educational sovereignty program.
• , and adult basic education.
• education in New Mexico.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• really does come down to the priorities that you've demonstrated around economic development and education
• You know, if that seed is planted early enough that they can start seeing a vision for a career, and
• And I know that the Higher Education Department, along with the Public Education Department and the universities
• for what the educational programs must have in order to be accredited.
• We are educating on safe sleep.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the first regular meeting of the Senate Education Committee.
• Early literacy programs have been proven to be so successful.
• More teachers have gone into education the last few years.
• And with that, we are... ...it's coming out about education.
• And with that, we are. it's coming out about education.

Bills: SB29, SB37

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Bills: HF719, HF2484, HF2486

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• progress toward a degree completion, to better support these students, House Bill 102 would grant early

Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, scholarship, military, Texas Armed Services, military spouses, occupational licensing, state agency, license requirements, reciprocity, training and education

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard three measures focused on military-connected students, service members, veterans, and their families. House Bill 102 would give eligible students in military-related university programs early registration privileges, similar to existing accommodations for expectant mothers and student athletes. House Bill 300 would modernize the Texas Armed Services Scholar program by increasing scholarship funding, clarifying the student employment agreement, and creating a scholarship coordinator at THECB to help students and families navigate the program. Senate Bill 2255 drew the most discussion and testimony. The bill would streamline occupational licensing for military members, spouses, and veterans by allowing Texas licensure based on an out-of-state license in good standing with a similar scope of practice, removing the Texas residency requirement, and shortening agency processing time from 30 days to 10 days in the committee substitute. Supporters from the Texas Coalition of Veterans Organizations, the Texas Association of Business, the Institute for Justice, TDLR, and the VFW said the bill would reduce bureaucratic delays, improve employment opportunities, and help military families maintain income during relocations. TDLR also described current licensing confusion between state and federal rules and said the bill would improve alignment and data collection. No witnesses testified against any of the bills. After public testimony closed on each measure, HB 102, HB 300, and SB 2255 were left pending in committee. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll call the House Education Committee to order. Good morning, folks.
• We want to recognize and thank the Legislative Education Study Committee for its sustained focus on educator
• And we'll help retain educators in the state of New Mexico and in our communities.
• I'm here representing the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders.
• “And appropriations, but everything else, for education-wise, nothing’s changing.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Senate Education.
• best in education.
• best in education.
• I appreciate that New Mexico Public Education Department leadership in prioritizing early numeracy and
• education growth.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• to address the governance and operational challenges in Texas's early childhood education system.
• Currently, early childhood education and child care are... managed and provided through a hodgepodge
• The intent behind universal pre-K is to offer universal access to early childhood education.
• An adhesive early childhood education system is essential to ensuring that 2.3 million Texas children
• education through the creation of the Governor's Task Force on Governance on Early Childhood Education

Bills: HB 117, HB2196, HB2689, HCR64, HB117

Keywords: early childhood education, task force, governance, Texas Education Agency, child care, education policy, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance, education technology, remote learning, education legislation, workforce development, adult education, high school diploma, industry certification, pilot program, gifted education, education support