Committee advances bill to ease state‑local match for small school districts' capital projects

Senate Bill 82, which would modify Public School Capital Outlay rules to reduce local match requirements and broaden waiver eligibility for smaller school districts, received a due‑pass recommendation from the Senate Education Committee following testimony from school leaders and district representatives.

The sponsor, Senator Solis, said the bill implements recommendations from the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) and the Public School Oversight Task Force and is intended to help small and rural districts priced out of construction and renovation projects by rising building costs. Solis told the committee recent bids have come in as high as $1,000 per square foot in some cases and that the bill primarily restores or clarifies temporary reductions the state enacted after the pandemic to increase state share for critical projects.

Support: Bonnie Lightfoot testified on behalf of multiple organizations, including the Coalition of Educational Leaders, State Superintendent Association and New Mexico School Boards Association, saying those groups were “firmly in support” of the measure. Committee members also offered anecdotes about small districts with aging facilities and high remediation costs.

Questions and concerns: Senators asked why construction costs have increased and whether prevailing wage or union work rules affect rural projects. Sponsor Solis and other witnesses said several factors are likely at play — labor shortages, high statewide construction demand and, in some instances, contractors traveling from out of state — and that prevailing wage or other procurement rules are outside the scope of SB 82.

Outcome: A motion to give Senate Bill 82 a due pass was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.