Latest news with #HB65
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PED's 180-day school calendar rule back in the courts
The New Mexico Public Education Department's rule requiring districts have 180 instructional days in the calendar per year is once again being debated in court. (Photo by Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images) The State of New Mexico's inactive rule requiring school districts to have a minimum of 180 instructional days on their calendars per school year is back in the courts. The New Mexico Public Education Department in March appealed a February decision from Ninth Judicial District Court Judge Dustin K. Hunter, who ruled that the department's rule requiring a minimum number of instructional days in the calendar was unenforceable. Hunter wrote in his decision that the rule conflicted with a current Public School Code statute that requires instead a minimum number of instructional hours. Hunter's ruling came in response to an April 2024 lawsuit from the New Mexico School Superintendents Association and many school boards from across the state challenging PED's original calendar rule, announced in March 2024. The rule itself was a response to the signing of House Bill 130 during the 2023 session, which requires K-12 schools to have a minimum of 1,140 instructional hours each year. Hunter granted an injunction in that case in May 2024, so the rule has never been enforced. According to court documents, the state claims the judge erred in several ways in making his decision. First, the appeal contends Hunter was wrong to limit the scope of the department's rulemaking authority and erroneously used outside evidence to determine legislative intent. The state also asserts in its challenge that no conflict exists between the rule and current statute. Stan Rounds, executive director of the New Mexico School Superintendents Association, a plaintiff in the original case, told Source NM that their team chose legal counsel to represent them in these next court proceedings just last week and are prepared to respond to the state's claims over the next several months of the process. The Legislature attempted to codify the district court's February decision during the recent session through House Bill 65, which would have clarified that local districts have the authority to set the number of school days in their calendar, as long as it meets the instructional hours requirement. HB65 passed in both chambers, but Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed the bill. The House voted to overturn the veto, but the Senate did not reciprocate due to lack of time on the last day of the session, so the governor's veto still stands. Source reached out to the governor's office for comment on the court proceedings and a spokesperson referred us to the governor's veto message, which states that Lujan Grisham is concerned with some instances in which school districts have condensed school calendars. Lujan Grisham also mentions concern about 'shortchanging' New Mexico students, particularly in light of the landmark Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit, which found that the state was not providing equitable educational opportunities to at-risk students. 'We weren't surprised that she vetoed [HB65],' Rounds told Source. 'There may be other opportunities for [lawmakers] to consider the override at some point in the future.' Whitney Holland, president of the American Federation of Teachers' New Mexico chapter, told Source that the back-and-forth on the state education department's rule is 'frustrating' and disregards the intent of current laws. The teacher's union supported the plaintiffs in the original lawsuit through an amicus brief. She said it feels as though schools, students and teachers are getting caught in the crosshairs of a larger political battle. 'The legislative intent is to give our school districts and our places of learning that local control and that ability. So I think it's insulting to that,' Holland said. 'This kind of back and forth on will we, won't we…I think it's really destabilizing a little bit, and it's hard to do any longterm planning.' Michael Chavez, superintendent of Hatch Valley Public Schools, told Source that he does not believe more school days lead to better student outcomes but, rather, it's the quality of instruction that counts. He added that especially in smaller, more rural districts, everything from instructional days and class schedules to transportation is tied together. Opponents of longer school years have also raised concerns for rural and tribal schools and the costs associated with added instructional days. 'It really boils down to how effective is your instruction, what goes on in your classroom on a day-to-day basis,' Chavez said. DocumentFragment_62095807.tiff SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tension among governor and New Mexico lawmakers as end of legislative session nears
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – With just hours left in the legislative session, sparks are flying between Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and lawmakers, over some of the session's high-profile priorities. The governor blasted the legislature and the Attorney General over their approach to fixing the troubled New Mexico Children Youth and Families Department. Meanwhile, lawmakers have run out of time to agree on legislation, aimed at dealing with kids who commit crimes. On Friday, the governor signed a bipartisan bill, HB 5, reforming CYFD. Although she said it wasn't the solution she wanted, the attorney general says it's a big step in the right direction. Story continues below NM Film: ABQ City Council votes to let plans move forward for film studio Crime: Man accused of orchestrating shootings at lawmakers' homes found guilty Weather: Warmer weather on first day of spring for New Mexico Don't Miss: How has Albuquerque's housing market changed over the years? 'Legislators have been exhausted by the excuses, exhausted by repeatedly hearing from different cabinet secretaries about their intention to try to make improvements there. I think its an important step one that will hopefully take us to a place where kids in state custody are better protected,' said New Mexico Attorney General, Raúl Torrez. The governor signed into law the bill creating 'Office of the Child Advocate,' a public agency responsible for investigating complaints against CYFD. It would also be able to refer cases to the Attorney General for prosecution, something that the governor expressed opposition to in a letter to lawmakers saying, that having the AG's office involved 'weaponized' the office against CYFD and that it was 'a thinly-disguised vendetta' by the legislature against the governor. Juvenile crime reform was also a big topic this session, but the last bill left on the issue, HB 255, failed to pass the Senate floor Thursday night with lawmakers disagreeing over how much to strengthen penalties, versus creating more support systems, sparking a heated reaction from sponsor Senator Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque). 'We have to represent the consciousness of this state and not hang our hat on one provision of a 31-page bill that is the epitome of compromise,' said Sen. Maestas. Other bills on their way to the governor's desk include a proposal to let districts decide the number of days in a school year, HB 65, and a bill requiring districts to create rules for student cell phone use in schools, SB 11. Lawmakers also passed bills aimed at helping communities affected by wildfires, including the Wildfire Prevention Act, SB 33, which focuses on tree thinning and creating buffer zones to protect homes. And a bill offering zero-interest loans to communities for recovery. A hotly debated topic on the House floor Friday afternoon was whether to allow voters not affiliated with a major political party to vote in the party primary of their choice. That bill, SB 16, passed 36-33. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislators try to codify ruling against minimum 180 school days
Mar. 11—An educational bill advancing in the Legislature with bipartisan support is almost sure to get a veto from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, should it reach her desk. But legislators are chugging along with it anyway to show their distaste for a 180 minimum school days rule the Public Education Department is still pursuing. A state judge last month struck down a PED policy adopted a year ago that would've required all schools to have at least 180 days of instruction, though it never actually went into effect. PED appealed the ruling last week. Meanwhile, state legislators are looking to codify the ruling by way of House Bill 65, allowing local school boards or charter schools' governing bodies to determine the number of instructional days in a school year. The legislation passed its first two committees unanimously and on Tuesday passed the full House on a 64-0 vote with no debate. Some concerns revolve around rural New Mexico schools, many of which have four-day school weeks. The other side of the argument is that more school days would improve New Mexico's academic performance, which repeatedly ranks among the worst in the nation and has been found lacking for tribal students in particular. House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, acknowledged that Lujan Grisham, who has been a vocal advocate of the minimum 180-day rule, is likely to veto the bill. "I'm doing what's right for my constituents and what New Mexico wants, what the judge found in favor of," Armstrong told the Journal on Tuesday. "I'm codifying it in law, and if she wants to veto it, then it just gives us more reason to elect a Republican governor." Lujan Grisham's term is over at the end of next year. Last year, the governor line-item vetoed a provision in the state budget that would've barred PED from using public money to implement the 180-day rule. HB65 includes an emergency clause, meaning it would go into effect immediately if signed by the governor. If the Legislature sends the legislation to Lujan Grisham during the 60-day session, she has three days — excluding Sundays — to veto it, or it automatically becomes law. The Governor's Office deferred to PED for comment. PED spokesperson Janelle Taylor García said in a statement the governor will evaluate the bill in its final form if it reaches her desk. She also pointed out that more than 60% of schools already operate on 180-day calendars. "While (Lujan Grisham) supports local flexibility, we must balance this with statewide educational standards that ensure every New Mexico student receives sufficient instructional time," she said. "The research is clear that consistent, quality classroom time benefits student achievement."
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Firefighters gather for the passage of legislation to provide them with regular cancer screenings
A bill to provide cancer screenings for firefighters in Utah passed through the Legislature on Wednesday. Shortly thereafter, legislators were joined by firefighters and Gov. Spencer Cox for a press conference about the bill. Research has shown that the leading cause of death for firefighters is cancer. HB65 was written with two main features to help firefighters fight cancer. First, the bill expands the list of presumptive occupational cancers for firefighters. Secondly, it sets up a program for regular cancers screenings for firefighters across the state. HB65 passed in both the House and the Senate unanimously. It will now go to the governor's desk for his signature. Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise, the bill's sponsor, who used to be a firefighter himself said that the bill is backed by strong data and research. 'Behind every number is a husband, wife, a friend, a brother, a sister in this profession,' Snider said. 'I look around this room and I know that there isn't a man or woman in uniform that has not lost somebody to this terrible disease in this career. We do this bill because of them, but we passed this bill to honor them,' Snider said. The press conference took place in the Capitol's Gold Room where dozens of firefighters gathered with lawmakers to recognize the work that has been done. Two firefighters, Jack Tidrow and Jeremy Craft, were among the speakers. 'What an epic day for the firefighters in Utah,' said Craft, chief of Lehi's fire department. Craft shared that he was a part of a group of firefighters who went to Arizona for a cancer screening as a part of research for this bill. During that screening he was diagnosed with prostate and renal cancer, which has spread to his lymph system. He shared that he is currently battling these cancers. 'Because of early testing, I'm going to get through this. I'm going to have a good quality of life, and quite honestly, I want that for my colleagues, for my brothers and sisters in the fire service,' Craft said. 'We'll answer any call without thinking about the danger. It's afterwards that we have to sit around and wonder, did we get cancer? But this bill can give us peace of mind that we can continue to do what we love to do.' Tidrow, the president of the Firefighters of Utah, has spent 21 years collaborating with the Legislature working towards this bill. According to McKell, the legislation will now fund creation of the the most comprehensive firefighter cancer screening program in the country. 'Our true hope is that other states will copy us, so not only are we trying to save Utah firefighters, but this effort, we hope, will get some national legs and and we want to make sure that that's the case,' Cox said. The governor said he will be sharing the bill with other governors across the country. 'It's really kind of exciting as I look around this room and I see intermixed with each other legislators, senators, House members and firefighters. Is a beautiful sight for me, and Speaker Schultz said it right: We're standing among heroes,' said Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton. In 2015, a bill passed to set four presumptive cancers for firefighters. HB65 will expand the list to 15. Presumptive cancers are conditions that are presumed to have been caused by one's occupation. The cancers on the expanded list are: Bladder Brain Colorectal Esophageal Kidney Leukemias Lung Lymphomas Melanomas Mesotheliomas Oropharynx ovarian Prostate Testicular Thyroid 'The cancers that are added to this list, are added because there is scientific proof and consensus that these particular cancers come as a result of fighting fire, as a result of protecting our communities,' Snider said. The second part of the bill creates a plan to establish a protocol for screening and ultimately treating cancer in firefighters. Under HB65, the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health would perform regular cancer screenings for firefighters in Utah. 'Early detection means early treatment, which should be a better outcome,' Tidrow said. For the first three years, the cancer screenings would be paid for by the state. After the first three years of the program, the fire departments themselves will cover the cost of the screenings for their employees.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After Dunleavy veto, Alaska Legislature reapproves state railroad borrowing plan
A docked cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, is seen in Seward's harbor on June 19, 2024, from the Race Point on Mount Marathon. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) For the second time in two years, the Alaska Legislature has approved a $75 million bond package for a new cruise ship dock in Seward. On Wednesday, the Alaska Senate approved House Bill 65, containing the bond package, on an 18-0 vote. That follows a 36-0 vote by the state House on Feb. 17. The Senate's vote sends the bill to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for approval. State lawmakers approved an identical bill last year, but Dunleavy vetoed it because the House's vote took place after the constitutional deadline to end the legislative session. The governor's approval is expected this time around. 'Sometimes in these moments, it does feel like 'deja vu all over again,' as Yogi Berra would say,' said Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage. When signed into law, HB 65 will allow the state-owned Alaska Railroad Corp. to borrow up to $135 million for construction of the new cruise ship dock. That's up from $60 million authorized by the Legislature in 2022. The Alaska Constitution requires legislative approval for most bond proposals. The bonds will be paid for by a 30-year use agreement between the railroad and Royal Caribbean, whose cruise ships are scheduled to use the dock. The existing dock was built in 1966 to replace facilities destroyed by the Good Friday Earthquake two years before. Speaking to the state Senate, Claman said the 60-year-old dock is now under weight restrictions because of its age and needs to be replaced. While it will primarily benefit Seward, 'the economic benefits of this project will be felt all across Southeast, Southcentral and the Interior,' Claman said. In order for the dock to be complete in time for the 2026 tourist season, the bonds needed to be authorized before March this year, he said. Sens. Lyman Hoffman, D-Bethel, and Donny Olson, D-Golovin, were excused absent on Wednesday and did not vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
