The LANL Foundation is proud to play a growing role in advocating for state policy and funding in support of education. The division will also focus on collaboration with public, philanthropic, private, and nonprofit partners to expand education and career opportunities in the region.
Over the past two legislative sessions, the LANL Foundation has successfully advocated for $641.2 million in appropriations and eight pieces of legislation that were signed into law.
With a strong focus on collaboration, the LANL Foundation looks forward to working alongside legislators, state agencies, and community partners to achieve meaningful change for New Mexico’s public education system and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.
Our Legislative Priorities for 2025
House Bill 157 – New School Licenses
Ensuring that principals and charter school head administrators receive targeted training to meet the challenges of school leadership is critical for better student outcomes, greater stability, and teacher support. HB 157 is designed to improve school leadership in New Mexico by modernizing site administrator licensure and preparation programs.
House Bill 252 – Kinship Caregiver Support Pilot Program
From 2017-2023, New Mexico has seen increases in the number of children in grandparents or kinship care (30,000 to 36,000) while it has decreased nationally in the same timeframe. This bill fosters support networks for some of the state’s most vulnerable caregivers, that may need care themselves. HB 252 establishes a three-year Grandparents & Kin Caregiver Support Pilot Program. Participants in the program would be referred to community organizations, non-profits, or area foundations to receive monthly economic support, along with referrals to programs that may benefit them and the children they care for.
Senate Bill 107 – NMSU STEM Center of Excellence
Creating a STEM Innovation Network drives New Mexico’s Economic Development Plan forward by pulling together cross-sector leaders in education, out-of-school programs, business, and local communities to build the systems and opportunities learners need to be prepared for the vital, high-demand STEM careers of the future. SB 107 creates a STEM Innovation Network for New Mexico to meet our STEM education, workforce and economic needs. A principal hub would be at New Mexico State University’s Center of Excellence.
House Bill 63 – Public School Funding Formula Changes
The LANL Foundation has long recognized that our middle and high school students are seeking meaningful experiences in school and this bill is a step towards that. HB 63 amends the Public School Finance Act to adjust the Statewide Equalization Guarantee (SEG) formula. These changes to the public school funding formula address the need for increased funding for English learners, and students who are the most underserved in New Mexico.
Senate Bill 64 – School Career Development Success Project
Supporting career technical education, apprenticeships, and internships is central to workforce development. The LANL Foundation is committed to enhancing educational opportunities, particularly those that lead to career readiness, making this initiative a natural fit with our mission. SB 64 creates a pilot project and a fund for appropriations for this program called “Career Development Success” to incentivize school districts to boost career development opportunities for high school students, with a goal of improving workforce readiness.
Senate Bill 201 – Public Education Reform Fund Uses
Longer term funding creates sustainability and increases potential effectiveness of programs such as career technical education, out-of-school learning, and teacher residency. SB 201 amends existing law to establish the Public Education Reform Fund (PERF) as a three year investment fund, similar to the Government Results and Opportunity (GRO) Fund. Evaluation plans would be developed by the Public Education Department (PED) in consultation with the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Legislative Finance Committee (LFC), and Legislative Education Study Committee (LESC).
Senate Joint Resolution 6 – Early Childhood Trust Fund, Constitutional Amendment
Financial stability for early childhood services allows for sustainable programs in early learning, childcare, pre-natal care, etc., while promoting success and positive program outcomes. SJR 6 would amend Article 20 of the state’s constitution to establish the “early childhood trust fund” as a permanent trust within the state treasury. This would provide sustained and protected funding for prenatal and early childhood programs and services. SJR 6 ensures long-term financial stability for early childhood education by creating a dedicated revenue source that is not reliant on annual legislative appropriations.
Senate Bill 167 – Early Childhood Trust Fund
By investing in prenatal care, New Mexico can improve maternal health outcomes and create a strong foundation for children’s future learning and development. SB 167 proposes transferring the balance of the existing Early Childhood Education and Care Fund to a newly designated Early Childhood Trust Fund (ECTF). The purpose of this fund is expanded to include prenatal programs and services in addition to early childhood education.
Senate Bill 93 – Out-of-School Programming
SB 93 aligns with LANL Foundation’s advocacy goals in high school transformation, expanding educational opportunities for underserved students, and investing in workforce readiness. SB 93 proposes allocating $20 million from the general fund to the Public Education Department (PED) to support comprehensive and affordable out-of-school programming for public school students. The bill ensures equitable funding distribution between school districts and community nonprofits. Funds are recurring beyond FY 2026, and any unused funds will not revert to the general fund, allowing them to remain available for future use within this initiative.
House Bill 71 – Early Childhood Education & Care Fund Transfers
This allows for greater investments in early education; such as childcare assistance, pre-K, and home visiting, and addresses systemic equities by ensuring funds are used for unmet needs in New Mexico. HB 71 increases the amount that is annually transferred to the ECECD Program fund from the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund. Quarterly and annual reports are required to ensure transparency and accountability of fund uses.
House Bill 156 – Increase Educational Salaries
The LANL Foundation focuses on improving education and workforce development, including investments in teacher professional development, scholarships, and early childhood education. HB 156 proposes changes to the teacher licensure system in New Mexico, focusing on minimum salary increases of $5,000 for each level of licensure, as well as modifications to the qualifications for the different levels of teaching licenses. This bill has the potential to improve teacher retention and recruitment.
Senate Bill 343 – Teacher Salary Rate Changes
Schools have shared that it is consistently difficult to recruit and retain Career Technical Education teachers. This bill establishes a minimum threshold for paying such teachers and invests in preparing students for potential career tracks. SB 343 ensures equal minimum salary for all teachers at each licensure level by removing exceptions currently in statute for vocational teachers and replacing an outdated reference to K-5 Plus with K-12 Plus. The effective date of this bill is July 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 163 – Tribal Regalia at School Events
SB 163 ensures that Native American students in New Mexico have the right to wear traditional regalia during graduation and other promotional ceremonies. It guarantees that school boards and charter schools cannot restrict students from celebrating their achievement in a manner that reflects their identity, fostering a more inclusive and respectful educational environment. Having these protections in statute ensures that cultural expression at a time of celebration, gatherings and recognitions cannot be hindered. This is critical to equity.
Senate Bill 38 – Special Education Act
By expanding parental rights, providing training for educators, and improving advocacy through the Special Education Ombud Office, the bill promotes collaboration between schools, families, and policymakers, which is central to the Foundation’s vision. SB 38 significantly strengthens New Mexico’s special education system by increasing oversight, improving teacher training, and providing better support for students and parents. It also ensures stronger legal protections and financial transparency for special education services.
Senate Bill 242 – Advancing the Science of Reading
SB 242 prioritizes early literacy development by ensuring teachers are well-trained in evidence-based reading instruction, directly supporting early childhood education initiatives. SB 242 aims to shift literacy instruction from balanced literacy to structured literacy, focusing on phonics-based reading instruction. Its main goal is to improve literacy rates by aligning education practices with research-backed methodologies.