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Committee backs $10 million one-time appropriation to expand adult literacy programs; amendment spreads spending over three years
Summary
Senate Education recommended a due-pass for SB300, a one-time $10 million appropriation for adult literacy under Higher Education. The committee amended the bill to spread the appropriation across fiscal years 2026–2028 to allow program build-out; witnesses said current funding (about $750,000) serves far fewer adults than need.
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 300, a proposal to appropriate $10 million to expand adult literacy programs administered through higher education. Sponsor Sen. Tobias told the committee New Mexico’s adult literacy system currently receives about $750,000 and serves a small fraction of adults in need; witnesses said more funding would expand programming, professional development and program capacity.
Dr. Amber Gallup of the Higher Education Department told the committee that with the current $750,000 the state-served adult literacy program serves about 3,600 people per year; broader adult education programming serves more than 12,000. Jamie Trujillo, executive director of the New Mexico Adult Education Association, said the state serves less than 1 percent of estimated need and that there are “literacy deserts” where counties have no funded programs; last fiscal year 19 of 33 counties had programs.
Committee members questioned how success would be measured and whether the funding was achievable to spend in one year. Senators proposed and the sponsor accepted an amendment to distribute the appropriation across fiscal years 2026 through 2028 (amendment passed on the floor of the committee). The committee then voted to recommend a due pass on the amended bill; the clerk recorded a do-pass recommendation (8 yes, 1 excused). Proponents said the money would be used to build infrastructure, hire staff, expand programs, and increase training and online capacity; the Higher Education Department said it would report program outcomes and goals.
