Committee recommends do-pass on multiple education measures, advances constitutional amendment for regents nominations
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Summary
The Senate Education Committee gave do-pass/due-pass recommendations to HJR 1 (regents nominating commissions), SB 306 (higher-ed reporting alignment), SB 210 (Highlands University facilities funding, $80M request) and others; committee noted a fiscal-report discrepancy on SB 210.
Alongside HB 30 and HB 120, the Senate Education Committee took formal recommendations on several other items.
HJR 1 (constitutional amendment — regents nominating commissions): Sponsor Sen. Steinborn said the amendment would create nominating commissions for university regents and increase student agency. The committee recommended the resolution be placed on the ballot (due pass); if voters approve, enabling statutes will specify commission composition and appointment mechanics.
SB 306 (higher-education regional distinction and reporting): Sponsor explained the bill would align state terminology with federal accreditation rules, move some smaller institutions to annual reporting and set an annual reporting fee ($500) in place of the prior 10-year schedule. The committee recommended a do-pass.
SB 210 (New Mexico Highlands University facilities — $80 million request): Senator Campos and Highlands President Dr. Neil Wolf requested $80 million for athletic- and student-life projects, prioritized to return women's soccer to campus and to create a combined football/soccer/track stadium. Committee members questioned the scale and funding sources and noted the Fiscal Impact Report contained a likely error that listed $8,000,000 instead of the sponsors’ $80,000,000 request. The committee recommended a do-pass on the measure (recorded recommendation noted).
Other bills on the agenda likewise received committee recommendations; the chair closed the meeting and scheduled the panel to reconvene Monday at 09:00.