Committee adopts substitute requiring 10 hours of training for university and community college regents

The Senate Education Committee voted to give a due pass to a committee substitute for Senate Bill 19, a measure that would require newly appointed members of governing boards for public universities and community colleges to complete 10 hours of training within six months of appointment.

Sponsor Senator Peter Steinborn described the substitute as three changes to the original bill: adding governing boards of community colleges; including a two‑hour module on the state Gift Act among required ethics and law training; and shortening the compliance window from one year after appointment to six months. “There’s a little bit offered on a voluntary basis by HED. Very few have been offered it,” Steinborn said, arguing that uniform, required training would help regents understand “red lines” and best practices.

Committee members from both parties expressed support during the hearing. Cedric Page, regent at the New Mexico Military Institute, testified in favor and said the training would “provide opportunities for us to really understand the leadership responsibilities that boards have.” Several senators urged that a compliance mechanism be considered: Senator Nava asked what would happen if a member refused the training; Steinborn said the substitute does not include a penalty but could be amended later and suggested options such as limiting future service until training is completed.

Why it matters: Regents set tuition, hire presidents, oversee infrastructure and priorities at higher education institutions. Committee members and witnesses said required training will better prepare regents for those duties and help boards avoid micromanagement, conflicts of interest, and ethics lapses. Several senators suggested publishing completion records or creating consequences for noncompliance.

Vote and next steps: The committee substitute was approved on a due‑pass recommendation; the committee reported the substitute with an 8–1 tally. Senator Steinborn said he is also sponsoring a constitutional amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 7) to create nominating commissions for regent appointments.

Ending: The substitute advances to Senate Rules; committee discussion emphasized adding an accountability mechanism and maintaining high‑quality, subject‑matter training tailored to university governance.