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House committee sends memorial asking LESC to study Hispanic Education Act
Summary
The House Education Committee approved a "do pass" on House Memorial 43, requesting the Legislative Education Study Committee to study the state's Hispanic Education Act and related bilingual/heritage-language efforts, funding and outcomes.
The House Education Committee voted to give House Memorial 43 a "do pass," sending a request that the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) study how New Mexico's Hispanic Education Act and bilingual education efforts are working and whether statutory changes or funding adjustments are needed.
Representative Guarola, who presented the memorial, told the committee the intent is to "study during the interim community what is in our state, what is working, what is supporting students, and how can we amend the act or improve the act to have the enough funding to support the diverse needs of our students." The sponsor asked that LESC examine program design, results and funding levels.
The memorial drew support from committee members who said the study should be intentional about institutionalizing improvements. Representative Roybal Caballero said the data show Hispanic students "need a lot of improvement, in many areas," and urged the study to produce recommendations that can be implemented at both local and state levels. Committee members also emphasized including student, family and teacher voices in the interim work.
Committee members asked procedural and technical questions about how LESC would engage with the Public Education Department and other agencies in the study. Representative Garrett asked about a provision on page 3 that would tie council meetings to a biannual Hispanic Education Summit; committee members discussed how the advisory council already meets and the memorial would formalize the schedule.
Representative Roybal Caballero moved the motion to give House Memorial 43 a "do pass." The motion was seconded by Representative Amoy. The committee approved the motion with no recorded roll-call vote noted in the transcript; the clerk recorded a "do pass" outcome.
The memorial directs LESC to study and report back during the interim; it does not itself change law or appropriate funds. The committee and presenters said any funding or statutory changes recommended by LESC would return to the legislature for further action.
Votes at a glance: House Memorial 43 '025 ' Motion: give a "do pass" to LESC study; Mover: Representative Roybal Caballero; Second: Representative Amoy; Outcome: do pass (voice vote; no roll-call recorded).
