[Nmtriblibs] FW: NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #12

[Moore, Patricia, DCA]

Forwarded on behalf of Joe Sabatini…

Patricia


From: Joe Sabatini <jsabatini423 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 8:48 PM
Subject: NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #12

NMLA 2023 Legislative Bulletin #12                                 February 27, 2023


HOUSE FLOOR ACTION
House Bill 147, Indian Education Funds Distribution

HB 147 is on tomorrow’s House agenda. It is the eighth item on the “Third Reading of Legislation” calendar.


COMMITTEE HEARINGS
House Bill 147, Indian Education Funds Distribution

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee heard HB 147 on February 21st. HB 147 creates a tribal education fund in the State Treasury to handle Indian Education Funds money. The objective is to ensure that tribes receive stable and consistent funding to carry out tribally based education programs. Such funding would not revert to the state.

Having funding going directly to tribes will assist tribal libraries in carrying out programs; last year specific project funds were allocated by the Public Education Department. These funds arrived in December with the obligation to spend them by the end of June.

The webcast can be viewed at:
https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00293/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20230221/-1/71973

Sponsor Rep. Derrick Lente and expert witness Regis Pecos present the bill beginning at 2:01:45 pm. Public comment begins at 2:04:45. Valerie Bellson of the Zuni Public Library comments about the need for carrying over funds, at 2:12:15. Committee questions begin at 2:18:30. At 2:29:15 Rep. Anthony Allison asks about the distribution formula. Regis Pecos explains the need to build both human and infrastructure capacity to deliver education services. At 2:31:00 he mentions tribal libraries.

At 2:36 pm Rep. Allison moves for a do-pass recommendation. Some opposition is expressed about the funding distribution, with concerns expressed by several representatives with Navajo constituents.  The motion passes on a vote of 9-4, and now goes to the full House.

 House Bill 140, Tribal Education Trust Fund

Another bill from the Tribal Education Alliance, HB 140, was tabled at the request of the sponsor, Rep. Derrick Lente. This bill set up a Tribal Education Trust fund to “provide consistent and stable revenue for tribal education Departments.” It is likely that this legislation will be revised and presented again during the 2024 Legislature.


Senate Bill 270, National History Day Program Schools

SB 270 by Senator Hemphill appropriates $200,000 to the Department of Cultural Affairs to support schools that participate in the National History Day Program. The New Mexico State Library would contract with the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities to assist them in conducting the annual New Mexico History Day competition in public and other schools. SB 270 was heard in the Senate Finance Committee today. It was given a do-pass recommendation on a 5-0 vote, and is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee.

The webcast is at https://sg001- https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00293/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/PowerBrowserV2/20230227/-1/72077
Testimony on SB 270 begins at 9:35:20 am. Committee questions begin at 10:11:45. The vote is at 10:22:10. State Librarian Eli Guinnee serves as the expert witness for Senator Hemphill. He described the program at 9:36:15. Public testimony begins at 9:37:40. Committee questions begin at 9:39. Senator Michael Padilla brings up his idea about putting a dedicated New Mexico History room in every public library. The Committee votes to give a do-pass recommendation to the bill on a 9-0 vote beginning at 9:40:30. The bill now goes to the full Senate.


Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee


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