Senate committee approves $5M measures for UNM and NMSU student‑athlete and student support programs

The Senate Education Committee voted to give due‑pass recommendations for Senate Bills 243 and 244, which would appropriate $5 million apiece to New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico for student health, nutrition, travel and athletics support.

Joe Fields, athletic director at New Mexico State University, told the committee that travel costs are high for his institution — "If you look at the past year, we spent $4,500,000 on travel," he said — and that nutrition, scholarships and new revenue‑sharing costs after the recent court settlement increase institutional demands. Ryan Berman, representing the University of New Mexico, described similar impacts from conference realignment and said institutions are seeking philanthropic support but still face immediate expenses.

Committee members questioned whether the appropriations are recurring obligations. Sponsor representatives described the current proposal as a one‑time special appropriation to help departments adapt and to leverage further fundraising; one senator observed the fiscal impact report lists recurring amounts and asked for clarification. The sponsor said the intent is a nonrecurring appropriation; FIR discrepancies were noted and discussed in session.

Both bills received majority support on roll calls recorded in committee and were returned with do‑pass recommendations to be considered in subsequent legislative steps.