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HM 43

HISPANIC & BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Yanira Gurrola and 2 co-sponsors

Nonbinding memorial directing LESC to study how NM's Hispanic Education Act and BMEP are implemented and funded, with diverse stakeholders, and publish findings by Dec 31, 2025.

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Bill Summary · HM 43

HM43 Summary: House Memorial 43 — Hispanic & Bilingual Education Programs

Overview

  • Bill: HM43 (House Memorial 43)
  • Title: Hispanic & Bilingual Education Programs
  • Status: Signed into law (Memorial)
  • Introduced: February 25, 2025
  • Final Version: Memorial acknowledging the significance of the Hispanic Education Act and the Bilingual Multicultural Education Act and requesting a state study
  • Signed: April 22, 2025
  • House: Education Committee recommended DO PASS; full House adopted 10-0

Purpose and Intent

HM43 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) to study the implementation and current state of New Mexico’s Hispanic Education Act and Bilingual Multicultural Education Act (BMEP). The goal is to evaluate effectiveness, identify successful initiatives, and analyze how funding structures for Hispanic and bilingual education are deployed. The memorial emphasizes improving educational outcomes for Hispanic students and ensuring programs are adequately supported.

Key Provisions

  • Commissioned Study: LESC is directed to conduct a statewide study in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Implementation and effectiveness of the Hispanic Education Act and the BMEP
    • Current state of Hispanic education and bilingual programs
    • Identification of successful initiatives related to student academic performance
    • Review of funding structures for Hispanic and bilingual education
  • Deliverable: LESC to publish research findings and recommendations by December 31, 2025
  • Collaboration: Study to involve a representative group of youth, representatives of Martinez-Yazzie groups, educator preparation programs, educational leaders and bilingual education experts, higher education institutions, community members, and the Public Education Department (PED)

Who is Affected

  • Legislative and Administrative: LESC, PED
  • Educational Stakeholders: School districts and charter schools, bilingual and TESOL-certified teachers, bilingual program coordinators
  • Students: Hispanic students, English learners, and families involved in Hispanic and bilingual education programs
  • Community and Higher Education: Education faculty, preparatory programs, and community organizations

Fiscal and Procedural Details

  • Fiscal Impact: Memorials do not contain appropriations and are not enforceable state laws. The study is treated as a normal agency function without significant additional fiscal burden.
  • Relationship to Other Work: HM43 correlates with ongoing discussions and bills related to bilingual education funding and English learner programs (e.g., HB2/HAFCS funding considerations and related measures noted in analyses).

Background and Context

  • Legislative Context: New Mexico has a long history with the Hispanic Education Act (2010) and the BMEP (1973). The Martinez-Yazzie lawsuits highlighted ongoing gaps in education sufficiency and English learner support, influencing the rationale for evaluating these acts.
  • Prior Funding Trends: Funding for Hispanic Education Act and BMEP has varied in recent years, with occasional appropriations to PED; HM43 seeks to assess how funding translates into student outcomes and program efficacy.

Timeline

  • Report Due: December 31, 2025
  • Post-Report: Findings may inform future legislation, policy decisions, or budget considerations related to Hispanic and bilingual education programs.

Takeaway

HM43 is a non-binding memorial directing LESC to study and report on the effectiveness and funding of Hispanic and bilingual education programs in New Mexico, with stakeholder collaboration and a published report by end of 2025. It emphasizes assessing how current laws support Hispanic students and English learners and identifying best practices for program funding and implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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