Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Capital Outlay topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee adds New Mexico Military Institute to list of schools eligible for public‑school capital outlay financing
Summary
Senate Bill 280 would amend the statutory definition of "constitutional special schools" in the Public School Capital Outlay Act to include the New Mexico Military Institute, allowing the institute to apply for state public‑school capital outlay funding and financing mechanisms.
The committee voted to advance Senate Bill 280, which would amend the statutory definition of "constitutional special schools" under the Public School Capital Outlay Act to include the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). If enacted, NMMI would be eligible to receive public‑school capital outlay funding and access the same financing tools available to other schools covered by that statute.
Senator (sponsor) said NMMI serves New Mexico students and that roughly 49% of its student body are state residents; the sponsor and Colonel David West, an institute representative, said the change would allow the school to upgrade classrooms, dormitories and other facilities without relying solely on institutional fundraising or passing costs to students. Colonel West explained that NMMI is not a taxing authority and that the institute has historically relied on a mix of HED and other bond proceeds and occasional legislative appropriations; adding NMMI to the public‑school capital outlay definition would give the school another tool to leverage funds for major projects.
Committee members applauded the institute’s educational outcomes and moved a do‑pass recommendation. The substitute advanced out of committee on that recommendation.
