Committee removes $250,000 appropriation, advances bill to set school nurse salary tiers

House Appropriations & Finance Committee Chair Small moved the committee to consider House Bill 195, and Representative Garrett summarized the measure, saying, "House bill 195 is twice amended, brings clarity to school nursing licensure levels as well as with commensurate salary levels and reduces turnover." The committee adopted a technical amendment and advanced the bill with one recorded opposition.

The bill, described by Garrett as clarifying licensure levels and establishing commensurate salary tiers for school nurses, carried an HAFC amendment (No. 231881.1) that struck a $250,000 appropriation that had been added in the House Education Committee. Representative Duncan moved adoption of the HAFC amendment and Representative Herrera seconded; the amendment was adopted with no opposition recorded on the floor.

Registered nurse and nurse practitioner Gloria Doherty testified in favor of the bill on behalf of the New Mexico Nursing Association and the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council, saying school nurses "play a vital role in our kids' lives" and urging support for the measure. Committee members asked for clarifications about funding sources and current pay ranges. Representative Garrett and committee staff indicated funding for the salary adjustments would come from increases to public school personnel funding in the budget.

Committee questioning focused on pay parity and the tiered structure used for teachers and other school personnel. An expert witness said the New Mexico Public Education Department reports an average school nurse salary around $68,000, while some survey respondents reported full-time school nurses earning as little as $30,000. Representative Pettigrew voiced opposition to the committee's do-pass motion; the chair recorded Representative Pettigrew as opposing the motion to advance the bill. Representative Vincent moved that HB195 as amended receive a do-pass recommendation; Representative Chatfield seconded.

With the HAFC amendment adopted and the do-pass motion carried (Representative Pettigrew recorded in opposition), the committee advanced House Bill 195 as amended to the next legislative stage. The bill remains twice amended and the removed appropriation (HAFC amendment No. 231881.1) is recorded as part of the committee action.

Votes at a glance: HAFC amendment 231881.1 (removes $250,000 appropriation) — adopted (mover: Rep. Duncan; second: Rep. Herrera). Motion to advance HB195 as amended (do pass) — adopted (mover: Rep. Vincent; second: Rep. Chatfield); Representative Pettigrew recorded in opposition.

The committee did not provide a full roll-call tally during the hearing; only Representative Pettigrew was explicitly noted as opposing the do-pass motion. Further floor action will record the final vote counts and any additional amendments.