Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate panel advances HB 3 to expand LESC study to early childhood and higher education
Summary
HB 3 would broaden the Legislative Education Study Committee’s scope to include early childhood and higher education; advocates urged a cradle-to-career review and bipartisan study. The committee gave the bill a due pass.
A Senate Rules subcommittee gave HB 3 a due pass after lawmakers and education stakeholders urged expanding the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) remit to examine early childhood and higher-education policy alongside K–12.
Representative sponsors said the change would support a “cradle-to-career” view of the education system and create opportunities to align policy across early childhood, K–12 and higher education. Supporters included Meredith Machen (League of Women Voters, AAUW, NOW local branch) and Naomi Valdez (NEA New Mexico), who said the expansion would provide a proactive venue to engage educators and affected communities.
Committee members questioned whether prior iterations had been vetoed and whether the measure could advance this year; the sponsor said she was optimistic and emphasized the bipartisan, volunteer work of LESC. Senator Bergman asked about previous veto history; the sponsor said she hoped the bill’s broader support would help it succeed.
Senators voted to advance HB 3; the committee recorded eight votes in favor and moved the bill forward for further consideration.
