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Committee unanimously advances bill aligning adjunct unemployment rules with federal reasonable‑assurance definition
Summary
HB 67 would align New Mexico law with the federal definition of "reasonable assurance" for adjunct instructors, creating a five‑part test for eligibility; the committee voted 10–0 to give the bill a do pass after supporters including the American Federation of Teachers testified.
A Senate committee gave a unanimous do pass to House Bill 67, which would align New Mexico statute on unemployment benefits for adjunct instructors at higher‑education institutions with the federal definition of "reasonable assurance."
The bill creates a five‑part eligibility test to determine reasonable assurance of reemployment for adjunct instructors. The presenter told the committee the change removes ambiguity in state statute and aligns state practice with federal guidance.
John Dirich of the American Federation of Teachers, New Mexico, testified in support and said the bill removes subjectivity and benefits institutions, employees and the Department of Workforce Solutions by providing a consistent set of criteria.
Final action: The committee recorded a do pass with a 10–0 roll call.
Next steps: The bill will proceed from committee to the floor.
