Committee approves bill to let education study panel examine early childhood and higher education

The Legislative Education Study Committee voted to give the panel authority to study early childhood programs and higher education, approving House Bill 193 on a voice vote after members voiced support and no one objected.

Sponsor Representative Baca told the committee the bill would allow the Legislative Education Study Committee, currently statutorily limited to K-12 and colleges of education, to study "not only K-12, but the early childhood ... as well as higher education," and to better align interim study work with agencies pursuing a "cradle-to-career" approach.

The change drew backing from public commenters and union representatives. "Aside from the bill we just heard, this might be 1 of the more important bills you consider during this legislative session," said John Dirich of AFT New Mexico, who urged lawmakers to approve the measure and noted the bill had been vetoed twice by the current administration in prior years (as stated by Dirich).

Representative Mirabal Moya moved a "due pass" recommendation for House Bill 193; Representative Cohen seconded the motion. Committee leadership called for objections; none were voiced, and the chair declared the bill passed on that voice vote. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.

Speakers emphasized two reasons for the change. Supporters said adding early childhood and higher education would let the committee study how early learning affects K-12 outcomes and how K-12 connects with postsecondary pathways. Representative Torres Velasquez cited Article 12 of the state constitution during discussion and referenced work by the Latino Education Task Force and the Martinez lawsuit to argue that constitutional education provisions encompass early childhood through college.

Some witnesses and members acknowledged why the bill has faced opposition in earlier years: critics have argued that oversight of higher education and early childhood could duplicate the work of the Legislative Finance Committee and other oversight bodies. The sponsor and others said LESC's role would be complementary, not duplicative, and that LESC staff have worked in partnership with the Public Education Department.

Public comment in support included a speaker identified as Paul, who said the subjects are "inextricably linked" and that expanding the committee's scope was "long overdue." No speakers in the transcript recorded opposition during the committee's public-comment period.

With the committee recommendation recorded, the bill will proceed according to the legislature's calendar; committee members noted the House was scheduled to be on the floor later the same morning.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 193 — Motion: "due pass" moved by Representative Mirabal Moya; seconded by Representative Cohen; outcome: approved (voice vote, no recorded roll-call tally in committee).