WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SM 22

Summary: Senate Memorial 22 (SM 22) — K-12 Water Conservation Curriculum

Overview

SM 22 is a memorial that was signed into law, introduced on March 7, 2025. It requests the Public Education Department (PED) to study the feasibility of developing a water conservation and management curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade, to be integrated across multiple subjects. The findings are to be reported to the Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC) by December 1, 2025. As a memorial, SM 22 does not create new law or authorize funding.

Purpose and Intent

  • Emphasizes the critical role of water resources for New Mexico’s economy, agriculture, culture, and societal well-being.
  • Seeks to prepare students to understand and address water challenges by integrating water conservation and management concepts into K-12 instruction.
  • Proposes cross-curricular integration (notably in math, science, and history) to provide a holistic learning experience.

Key Provisions

  • Directs PED to study the feasibility of developing a K-12 water conservation and management curriculum.
  • Requires the study to explore incorporation of water topics into multiple subjects, including math, science, and history.
  • Mandates the publication of findings, conclusions, and recommendations in a report to be presented to the LESC no later than December 1, 2025.
  • Requires transmission of copies of the memorial to the Secretary of Public Education and the LESC.

Fiscal and Administrative Implications

  • Fiscal Note: Memorials do not carry an appropriation or enforceable state law; no mandatory funding is attached to SM 22.
  • Administrative implication: PED must allocate time and resources to conduct the feasibility study and produce a timely report.
  • Relationship to SB 60: SM 22 relates to SB 60, which would appropriate $1.25 million to PED to pilot an environmental education program for high school students. SM 22 itself does not authorize funding but could influence future curriculum development funded under SB 60.

Timeline and Process

  • Introduction: March 7, 2025
  • Committee Action: Education Committee DO PASS (March 12, 2025)
  • Senate Action: Passed the Senate and signed (mid-March 2025)
  • Findings due to LESC: December 1, 2025

Affected Parties

  • Public Education Department (PED): primary responsibility to conduct the feasibility study.
  • Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC): receives the study findings and may use them to inform future policy.
  • Other state agencies (context): Office of the State Engineer and energy/water-related departments may inform PED’s assessment, though no formal funding or mandate is attached to SM 22.

Bottom Line

SM 22 signals the Legislature’s interest in integrating water conservation and management education into New Mexico’s K-12 curriculum. It initiates a formal feasibility study by PED, with findings due by December 1, 2025, to inform potential future curriculum development and funding decisions.

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

Sign in to ask a question.