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Senate panel amends HB 297 to retain existing computer‑science endorsement pathways and funds short-term professional development
Summary
The Senate Education Committee amended House Bill 297 to remove redundant listings of six computer‑science endorsement pathways already in statute, strip sunset dates from two pathways, and approved an appropriation of $250,000 over two years for teacher professional development. The amended bill received committee approval.
The New Mexico Senate Education Committee on Oct. 12 amended House Bill 297 to remove six pathway listings for a computer‑science endorsement that the sponsors said already appear in statute and to eliminate existing sunset dates on two of those pathways.
The amendment, identified in committee as 231684, was described by the bill presenter as a response to stakeholder feedback. “We did submit an amendment … Essentially, we came to a consensus within [the Public Education Department] that they would agree to remove the sunset clauses on the 6 listed pathways,” the presenter told the committee, adding that the amendment “took out listings 1 through 6 as those are already listed in statute.”
Why it matters: Committee members said the change addresses concerns they raised in earlier hearings about duplicative statutory text and expiring pathways that could disrupt teacher endorsement routes. Senator Ramos asked about the bill’s funding and whether a proposed $250,000 appropriation for professional development should be recurring; the presenter said the appropriation was proposed as a two‑year, nonrecurring allotment “hoping to encourage those pathways” while the program is evaluated.
Debate and outcome: Committee members raised questions about how the amendment aligns with the fiscal impact report (FIR) and whether the bill still advances the 2021 Public Education Department plan to expand computer‑science education and teacher pathways. The presenter confirmed the bill remains intended to support teacher pathways and that the amendment expanded the endorsement beyond only secondary licenses to “all license types.”
A motion to adopt the amendment was seconded by Senator Figueroa and passed with no recorded opposition. A subsequent motion to give HB 297 a do‑pass recommendation as amended was moved by Senator Saum; the roll call recorded eight yes votes and one excused member, and the committee approved the amended bill.
Budget and funding: The bill as discussed includes a $250,000 appropriation intended for professional development to help teachers obtain or maintain a computer‑science endorsement. Committee members queried whether that funding source would be recurring and raised that the $250,000 was being provided by industry funds (referred to in the hearing as oil and gas industry funding). The presenter said they intended to seek additional funds in the future but submitted a two‑year request for now.
Next steps: The committee advanced the amended bill with a do‑pass recommendation to the next stage of the legislative process.
