BILINGUAL LICENSE ENDORSEMENT PGM UNITS

HB0119

HOUSE BILL 119

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Yanira Gurrola

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE; ESTABLISHING PROGRAM UNITS
FOR LICENSED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WITH A BILINGUAL ENDORSEMENT;
PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT VERIFICATION; MAKING
CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1.
Section 22-8-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974,
Chapter 8, Section 8, as amended by Laws 2025, Chapter 89,
Section 3 and by Laws 2025, Chapter 150, Section 1) is amended
to read:

"22-8-18. PROGRAM COST CALCULATION--LOCAL
RESPONSIBILITY.--

A. The total program units for the purpose of
computing the program cost shall be calculated by multiplying
the sum of the program units itemized as Paragraphs (1) and (2)
in this subsection by the staffing cost multiplier and adding
the program units itemized as Paragraphs (3) through [
(16)
]

(18)
in this subsection. The itemized program units are as
follows:

(1) early childhood education;

(2) basic education;

(3) special education, adjusted by subtracting
the units derived from membership in class D special education
programs in private, nonsectarian, nonprofit training centers;

(4) bilingual multicultural education;

(5) fine arts education;

(6) elementary physical education;

(7) size adjustment;

(8) at-risk;

(9) enrollment growth or new district
adjustment;

(10) special education units derived from
membership in class D special education programs in private,
nonsectarian, nonprofit training centers;

(11) national board for professional teaching
standards certification;

(12) home school student;

(13) home school student activities;

(14) charter school student activities;

(15) K-12 plus; [
and
]

(16) national board for certification of
school nurses certification;

[
(16)
]
(17)
English learners;
and

(18) bilingual license endorsement
.

B. The total program cost calculated as prescribed
in Subsection A of this section includes the cost of early
childhood, special, bilingual multicultural, fine arts and
vocational education and other remedial or enrichment programs.
It is the responsibility of the local school board or governing
body of a charter school to determine its priorities in terms
of the needs of the community served by that board. Except as
otherwise provided in this section, funds generated [
under
]

pursuant to
the Public School Finance Act are discretionary to
local school boards and governing bodies of charter schools;
provided that the special program needs as enumerated in this
section are met; and provided further that the department shall
ensure that the local school board or governing body of a
charter school is prioritizing resources for the public school
toward proven programs and methods linked to improved student
achievement."

SECTION 2.
A new Section 22-8-23.17 NMSA 1978 is enacted
to read:

"22-8-23.17. [
NEW MATERIAL
] BILINGUAL LICENSE
ENDORSMENT--PROGRAM UNITS.--The number of program units for
licensed school employees with a bilingual endorsement is the
number of licensed school employees with a bilingual
endorsement that are employed by a school district or charter
school in a department-approved bilingual multicultural
education program on or before the first reporting date of the
school year and verified by the department. Department
approval of these units shall be contingent on verification by
the school district or charter school that these licensed
school employees hold a bilingual endorsement, are employed in
a department-approved bilingual multicultural education program
and are receiving a one-time salary differential equal to or
greater than the amount generated by the units multiplied by
the program unit value during the fiscal year in which the
school district or charter school will receive these units."

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