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Committee backs bill to help adjunct faculty qualify for federal loan forgiveness by expanding hour-count rules
Summary
Representative Garrett presented House Bill 69, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Multiplier Act, saying it "mandates a multiplier of 4.35 hours to calculate the hours worked" for certifying adjunct faculty employment hours for PSLF purposes.
Representative Garrett presented House Bill 69, describing it as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Multiplier Act and saying it builds on federal administrative changes that allow adjunct and contingent faculty to count non‑classroom work toward the full‑time hours required for PSLF. Garrett said the bill "mandates a multiplier of 4.35 hours to calculate the hours worked" for credit or class hours when institutions certify employment for PSLF purposes.
Supporters included the American Federation of Teachers — New Mexico, NEA New Mexico, and other higher‑education advocates who characterized the change as a fix for adjunct faculty who were previously denied PSLF because only classroom contact hours were certified. Proponents noted the multiplier accounts for preparation, grading and student support time that institutions do not always record.
After brief public comment and no recorded opposition, the committee recorded a roll-call do‑pass recommendation. The chair announced the bill passed the committee on a majority vote and the measure will move to the next Senate stage for consideration.
Ending: The committee’s do‑pass recommendation aims to make PSLF certification more accessible to adjunct and contingent higher‑education instructors by standardizing how institutions calculate hours for certification.
