[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6276940,"mediaKeyId","2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d","parentId",2658537,"title","Committee gives narrow approval to school water‑safety guidance bill nicknamed the \"Llorona\" bill","audioSeconds",686,"startMs",2727000,"endMs",3413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d&start=2727&end=3413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d/thumbnail_2727000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6276940/New-Mexico/Committee-gives-narrow-approval-to-school-watersafety-guidance-bill-nicknamed-the-Llorona-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276940-28adb37307b173024c642a565e0e0446/orig.mp4?Expires=1774813330&Signature=AA2Qc708dlsHfsJXHfedrta5YTViPO1a8vD51x8rGqPbYBFuVs~ytgDhzEUObZin6w2-ou-r~RaU-xjbWaxu1EWpSiqQ-PeObjJRGiJpIetn7oT1eRoLgv4GMvqMn1HE1EQZhmupIUWlXPjz3CSdm~hfFDIAJ41mxE8l6xvh~0PqI7qtfXhf4rzsIiTmGqVQwJC0gpntFddDSLJ46fOFJfWg71tFg0K3cJfwkmL5l8drCHi1kLNHXuhA7HGKEhzb5ieEGDbNRLe4ovHOo~MyWM4KwJAGThSeVlDE5DjAsKMVx7QSqeY5Czsa8z8kA9lzO-gCr~SG4jJOWjBWRi0rMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Mexico Legislature","date","2025-03-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Education Committee on March 14 voted to give a do‑pass recommendation to a House bill that would require schools to develop or adopt guidance for student water safety; the measure was referred to in committee as the “Llorona bill.”

Representative Sanchez presented the bill and introduced Casey McGovern, executive director of Every Child a Swimmer, who testified as an expert witness and described her personal experience as the mother of a drowning victim. McGovern told the committee that drowning is a leading cause of death for young children and urged schools to use registration and other touch points to give parents guidance and resources for local swim lessons. “Drowning is the number 1 cause of death for children 1 to 4, and it's the number 2 cause of death for children 5 to 14, and it's 100% preventable,” McGovern said.

Supporters characterized the measure as a low‑cost awareness step that could be implemented by posting guidance on district websites, including information in enrollment packets or distributing existing materials from national partners. The sponsor and witnesses noted the bill contains no appropriation and that the guidance could be satisfied with free resources already available from groups such as the American Red Cross.

Several senators expressed reservations about placing the requirement in the Public Education Department. Questions included whether many schools lack pools or nearby swim‑instruction access, whether the handbook or registration packet is an effective way to reach parents of the youngest children at highest risk, and whether local public‑health channels would be a more effective delivery mechanism. One senator said county health councils, home‑visiting programs and pediatricians might be better suited to reach parents of children ages 1–4. Sponsors said the bill is intended as a first, broad “touch point” and that subsequent work could expand outreach through public‑health partners.

The committee approved the bill by roll call; the clerk announced a do‑pass on a 4‑3 vote with two excused. Supporters said they view the measure as a baseline step intended to increase parental awareness and that broader, multi‑agency action would follow in future efforts.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate - Education Mar 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A bill that would require schools to provide parents with water‑safety guidance — described in committee as a first step in a broader drowning‑prevention effort — received a do‑pass recommendation after debate over where responsibility best sits and whether schools are the appropriate vehicle for the policy.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, New Mexico","taxId",29062,"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},6276946,"Senate committee backs revisions to Hispanic Education Act, including language to protect Spanish heritage and per diem for advisory council",845,1608000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d&start=1608&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d/thumbnail_1608000.jpg","/articles/6276946/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-backs-revisions-to-Hispanic-Education-Act-including-language-to-protect-Spanish-heritage-and-per-diem-for-advisory-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276946-860c57e9a849128d184217a0f85ce582/orig.mp4?Expires=1774813329&Signature=o8JfSVm0yQe8s56CS~7dP~ZQYAduapzQiJselkeoqCyZKrwXQkMvy12v0WTd10CIxcY2bjmblo-0C1k0DnoCYsuLul3mrC23Z4xkf~CirtgPEOUfWGQy1cgPSHCqH3a~78-0xH2xA06kBjOdqGPXhIDJFEfOjzpKvBorEJUaDtdevI0uvico9feXHg1xYQmkfF-ROJfRr7x59YLXnmqSkRDuTVudb6IjG3EelW7WRc-f0R1LiCOG90OHYe1Yar4r1ZExnZZieEB9EfV6lcyBGB5AIP-XZHLewDbqIsI7gCTCMVYn0~DP0xELyh9ZFc4gnr8A8cLsUE1J4zk4XRA-rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee on March 14 recommended do‑pass for House Bill 487, which makes targeted revisions to the Hispanic Education Act to strengthen protection of Spanish language and culture, require recurring Hispanic Education Summits, and allow per diem and mileage for members of the Hispanic Education Advisory Council.

Representative Torres Velasquez, the bill sponsor, said the bill modernizes the act passed in 2010 and shifts some language away from deficit‑based phrasing. “Achievement gap is a term that was used back when this law was created in 2010,” the sponsor said, explaining the change toward an assets‑based approach and the bill’s stated goal to “ensure lifelong success.”

Witnesses and advisory‑council members described the advisory council as a 23‑member body representing communities statewide. Deputy Secretary Candace Castillo and Dr. Jennifer Gomez Chavez, liaison for the Hispanic Education Bureau, joined the sponsor in support. Georgia Roybal, who testified about bilingual special education experience, and others described the bill as important for validating students’ language and culture. Supporters noted the House and Senate had intermittently provided nonrecurring funds; the sponsor said the current budget recommendation includes $500,000 for the act (the sponsor said the original recommendation had been $1 million but the enacted or recommended amount was $500,000).

Committee members probed several substantive points. Senator Thornton and others asked what “ensure lifelong success” would mean in measurable terms and how the council would track outcomes; witnesses said the agency posts data reports (dating back to 2010–11) and that the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) and other bodies could assist in defining remedies and metrics tied to the Martinez/Yazzie litigation. Senators also debated wording for the required summits: a committee exchange flagged that “biannual” can be read as twice a year or every two years; sponsors said intent is for at least two meetings a year and agreed drafters could clarify the term.

The bill also adds a statutory allowance for per diem and mileage to encourage attendance by advisory‑council members. Committee members asked whether per diem would apply to virtual attendance; witnesses said state per diem rules allow payment in some virtual circumstances and that the department would follow procurement code and state rates. Several senators stressed the need for stable, recurring funding rather than one-time grants to sustain the council’s work.

A motion for do‑pass carried on roll call; the clerk announced the committee had a due pass. Committee discussion repeatedly referenced the Martinez and Yazzie education lawsuits, and sponsor testimony emphasized the council’s role as an advisory body to the Public Education Department.

","The committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 487, which updates the Hispanic Education Act to emphasize preservation of New Mexico’s Spanish language and culture, requires periodic summits, and authorizes per diem and mileage for advisory council members; members debated measurement language and funding.",{"_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},6276951,"Committee advances bill that defines \"reasonable assurance\" for adjunct faculty unemployment claims",698,841000,1539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d&start=841&end=1539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d/thumbnail_841000.jpg","/articles/6276951/New-Mexico/Committee-advances-bill-that-defines-reasonable-assurance-for-adjunct-faculty-unemployment-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276951-b4f941fc4ee861b9aea794a8bc130aee/orig.mp4?Expires=1774813329&Signature=ITIrGstR60d9f-M3YSul7apqUOoEpEu9Ho4u5fKXvRgH~zznkb7~2EPYNCprFNU~leC71sR1nioDYPdI6GOrjh0jJK9lpojY1EXOjNyA5GRkg02cqudtj7B8trxF~Rg-mtRZu8qcwbuomIZuvkvhfGGGDy2wBtouRiymSveJKVAbjexGjKcdrHmBa0CO-1DCKhYEUlCH4PEPHZ6e-odXsMpDoniNrEjyBCnbgOqz5cnRbgK1Rg4woVwhjhXVz1ngmGWFJ-fn2Jp~fKhjbhQqdlQ49s9EMUTjROz-DDUaVCmp8POOc~Pk2yYNognzhQglkxTudpeWdVC6V-szI0RK7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee on March 14 recommended House Bill 67 for passage. The bill clarifies how “reasonable assurance” is determined for adjunct and other contingent higher-education faculty when unemployment eligibility is considered.

Sponsor representatives said the measure sets five objective criteria: whether an educational institution made a written, oral or implied offer of employment for the following academic term; whether the offer was made by an individual with authority to hire; whether the position offered is substantially similar or higher than the prior position; whether the offered compensation is at least 90% of the claimant’s prior academic‑year earnings; and whether the offer is not contingent on factors within the institution’s control. The sponsor said the test aligns New Mexico law with federal unemployment requirements.

An expert witness, Grace Roadhouse, a labor lawyer, testified the bill reduces subjectivity in unemployment eligibility determinations and should make evaluations more consistent for employees, institutions and the Department of Workforce Solutions. John Durch of the American Federation of Teachers in New Mexico said unions had worked on the issue since 2023 to remove ambiguity for adjunct staff.

Committee members raised questions after receiving a fiscal impact report at the hearing. One senator read a summary that noted the University of New Mexico and other state institutions said it was not clear how Workforce Solutions would interpret “contingency factors within the institution’s control,” and university analyses signaled state unemployment insurance costs could rise. Sponsors and witnesses said none of the universities had filed formal opposition and that the bill contains no appropriation; they also said any administrative impact would be felt in the summer after passage, allowing time for budget adjustments.

A motion to pass the bill carried on a recorded roll call. The clerk announced a do-pass on a 6‑2 vote with one absence; Senators recorded as voting no and recorded yes votes were read into the record during roll call. Sponsors said the change would not apply to K–12 teachers or tenured professors and would apply only to adjunct and contingent higher‑education instructors.

","The Senate Education Committee recommended House Bill 67 for passage after sponsors said the bill aligns state law with federal guidance and establishes five objective factors to decide reasonable assurance for adjunct and contingent faculty unemployment eligibility.",{"_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},6276955,"Senate committee advances bill to let local school boards set instructional days",525,298000,823000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d&start=298&end=823","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658537-44eae5598558b4793a1dec493471b18d/thumbnail_298000.jpg","/articles/6276955/New-Mexico/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-let-local-school-boards-set-instructional-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6276955-12fc5e7c57e0e2e8313f9d304e63793b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774813329&Signature=d2LXi5LcIPoUerXR4yItfO7jUlLdOSfjM1RkDrMGqtTBeWA1WL0iLAFgdlxElKImOReDP~-ULvV~K01sDU0qJJB6WfXg40HvkTMx9Ca~LFg9Vsm6Qmdz3rklmGTEEf6XaYyEvKgoZWAxxHYXnxXCtflbFRB6hEPfoWX~fIkvc2Nx8mGYv24mJPd4qKPGZdPWQvclR1hevn7~nsFloZbSlyy8xgPEKGkgqo9Fg3xGhB7g7ynxf--gN7ryG~2oDYOHZZ9qoJ7WGK9qMI4BC8CNLma6DM50~7wu5AP2y8PFqCR3nsWSaAoW6F9kr~zrY7vPes5UAFiYEBouajit0RD7rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee on March 14 gave House Bill 65 a do-pass recommendation, a measure that would let local school boards and charter governing bodies decide how to structure the number of instructional days and hours in a school year.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the proposal carries an emergency clause and would take effect upon the governor’s signature. The sponsor said the measure follows a court ruling that struck down an attempt by the executive branch to change school attendance rules by administrative rule.

Senator Woods, sponsor: “We had a lawsuit this last year that, the governor tried by rule to change the days of attendance of the school system, and the lawsuit was successful that said that the law does not support the rule. This further codifies that particular lawsuit.”

Supporters from rural and education groups told the committee local boards are best placed to set calendars. Bonnie Lightfoot, introduced by the sponsor as president of the coalition representing school superintendents, said the measure clarifies state statute and restores decision-making to local districts. Tom Patterson, who identified himself as a Catron County cattle rancher and president-elect of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, said his group supports giving local boards authority over instructional days. Lily May Ortiz, legislative liaison for the New Mexico School Board Association, described the bill as “one of our top priorities” and said it preserves local control. John Dirge of AFT New Mexico said the bill reduces administrative overreach and protects communities — including rural districts that have used four-day weeks.

Committee members discussed the bill’s legislative intent and the difference between statutes that set total instructional hours and the calendar structure districts may use to meet those hours. One senator said 16 states legislate days, 10 set hours and some allow either; the sponsor and supporters argued New Mexico statute should be read as setting hours while leaving scheduling choices to districts.

The committee approved a motion for a do-pass. The roll call recorded “yes” responses from Senators Ezell, Figueroa, Hickey, Nava (recorded as Nala in the roll), Ramos, Thorn, Poe and Sowell; the clerk announced the committee had a due pass. The sponsor noted the bill previously passed the House unanimously (the sponsor said the House vote was unanimous with five excused and one absent). The bill will move to the Senate floor next for further consideration.

","The Senate Education Committee gave House Bill 65 a favorable recommendation after sponsors said the measure would codify a court decision and restore local control over how districts schedule instructional time.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee gives narrow approval to school water‑safety guidance bill nicknamed the "Llorona" bill

Senate committee backs revisions to Hispanic Education Act, including language to protect Spanish heritage and per diem for advisory council

Committee advances bill that defines "reasonable assurance" for adjunct faculty unemployment claims

Senate committee advances bill to let local school boards set instructional days