New Mexico 2025 Regular Session Status: Enacted 3 D cosponsors

HB 156 — INCREASE EDUCATIONAL SALARIES

Last action — Signed

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democratic) on April 11, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 56% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    3 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (3 D).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

321 added · 506 removed

Plain-language change summary

The revised bill now includes a new section that outlines specific requirements for teacher preparation programs to teach the "science of reading." This change aims to better equip new teachers with effective reading instruction methods, helping students improve their reading skills. Additionally, the bill emphasizes increasing the minimum salaries for teachers, school counselors, and administrators, which is essential for attracting and retaining quality educators in schools. Overall, these amendments are designed to enhance educational outcomes by investing in both teacher training and compensation.

→
Previous
Latest
HOUSE BILL 156 57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025 INTRODUCED BY Joy Garratt and Mimi Stewart and Heather Berghmans This document may incorporate amendments proposed by a committee, but not yet adopted, as well as amendments that have been adopted during the current legislative session.
AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL;
The document is a tool to show amendments in context and cannot be used for the purpose of adding amendments to legislation.
INCREASING THE MINIMUM SALARIES FOR TEACHERS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS;
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE h AN ACT g o RELATING TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL;
REQUIRING THE SCIENCE OF READING TO BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC POST- SECONDARY TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS SO THAT LEVEL ONE APPLICANTS WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO TEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.
INCREASING THE MINIMUM SALARIES t hr g e i k FOR TEACHERS, SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS SFCº ;
9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
h r i s REQUIRING THE SCIENCE OF READING TO BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC POST- h , t, SECONDARY TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS SO THAT LEVEL ONE e u g e b l e e h APPLICANTS WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO TEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL n d d i = = o h STUDENTS»SFC .
SECTION 1.
l ] b ,d i a º e r i = r t e w d m a n o BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
d m :
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e e a n e d r e l u [ A d SFCºSECTION 1.
"[NEW MATERIAL] TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS--TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO TEACH READING.-- A.
"TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS--TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO TEACH READING.-- A.
(3) "scientifically based reading instruction" means instruction grounded in empirical research, including explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension and the science h u of reading;
(3) "scientifically based reading instruction" means instruction grounded in empirical research, including explicit and systematic instruction in HB 156/a Page 1 phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension and the science of reading;
and » r t h (4) "structured literacy" means an evidence- g e l i h r based approach to teaching oral and written language aligned i s h , with the science of reading that is based on the science of how e h t u g children learn to read and is characterized by explicit, e b l e e , gh n d d i systematic, sequential, cumulative and diagnostic instruction = = o h l ] b ,d in phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, i a º r e r = morphology, syntax and semantics.
and (4) "structured literacy" means an evidence- based approach to teaching oral and written language aligned with the science of reading that is based on the science of how children learn to read and is characterized by explicit, systematic, sequential, cumulative and diagnostic instruction in phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax and semantics.
t e w d m a n o d m :
B.
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 2 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d B.
(2) for elementary teacher candidates, provides a minimum of one hundred hours of supervised field experience in public school classrooms implementing the science of reading, structured literacy and scientifically based h u reading instruction, including:
(2) for elementary teacher candidates, provides a minimum of one hundred hours of supervised field experience in public school classrooms implementing the HB 156/a Page 2 science of reading, structured literacy and scientifically based reading instruction, including:
» r t h (a) planning and teaching reading g e l i h r lessons focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, i s h , vocabulary and comprehension;
(a) planning and teaching reading lessons focused on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension;
and e h t u g (b) observing and applying e b l e e , gh n d d i scientifically based reading instruction techniques under the = = o h l ] b ,d supervision of a teacher trained in the science of reading;
and (b) observing and applying scientifically based reading instruction techniques under the supervision of a teacher trained in the science of reading;
and i a º r e r = t e w d m a n o d m :
and (3) includes training and teaching teacher candidates to identify when students are not reading at grade level.
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 3 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (3) includes training and teaching teacher candidates to identify when students are not reading at grade level.
As part of the state approval review process for teacher preparation programs, each program shall provide h u evidence of its alignment with New Mexico's statutory and » r t h regulatory requirements for structured and systematic science g e l i h r of reading instruction.
As part of the state approval review process HB 156/a Page 3 for teacher preparation programs, each program shall provide evidence of its alignment with New Mexico's statutory and regulatory requirements for structured and systematic science of reading instruction.
i s h , G.
G.
Initial approval and ongoing review shall e h t u g include:
Initial approval and ongoing review shall include:
e b l e e , gh n d d i (1) evaluation of coursework and field = = o h l ] b ,d experiences to ensure that teacher candidates are prepared to i a º r e r = implement evidence-based reading instruction practices aligned t e w d m a n o d m :
(1) evaluation of coursework and field experiences to ensure that teacher candidates are prepared to implement evidence-based reading instruction practices aligned with the science of reading;
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 4 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d with the science of reading;
(4) the collection of data demonstrating the effectiveness of graduates in applying science of reading practices during their first three years of teaching, as available through performance-based assessments or other state- approved measures;
(4) the collection of data demonstrating the effectiveness of graduates in applying science of reading practices during their first three years of teaching, as available through performance-based assessments or other state-approved measures;
and (5) evidence of partnerships with kindergarten through twelfth grade public schools to ensure high-quality student teaching and supervised field experiences that emphasize science of reading instructional practices and the h u use of high-quality instructional materials during student » r t h teaching and other supervised field experiences.
and (5) evidence of partnerships with kindergarten through twelfth grade public schools to ensure high-quality student teaching and supervised field HB 156/a Page 4 experiences that emphasize science of reading instructional practices and the use of high-quality instructional materials during student teaching and other supervised field experiences.
g e l i h r H.
H.
The public education department shall provide i s h , guidelines for evaluating compliance with science of reading e h t u g instruction requirements during the review process.
The public education department shall provide guidelines for evaluating compliance with science of reading instruction requirements during the review process.
These e b l e e , gh n d d i guidelines shall include minimum performance thresholds for = = o h l ] b ,d coursework, assessments and candidate outcomes.
These guidelines shall include minimum performance thresholds for coursework, assessments and candidate outcomes.
i a º r e r = I.
I.
Programs failing to meet the established science t e w d m a n o d m :
Programs failing to meet the established science of reading instruction standards may be placed on a corrective action plan with specific requirements and time lines for achieving compliance.
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 5 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d of reading instruction standards may be placed on a corrective action plan with specific requirements and time lines for achieving compliance.
and (3) graduate impact data on student literacy outcomes, where available.»SFC SECTION SFCº1.»SFC SFCº2.»SFC Section 22-10A-7 NMSA (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:
and (3) graduate impact data on student literacy outcomes, where available." SECTION 2.
h g "22-10A-7.
Section 22-10A-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, HB 156/a Page 5 Chapter 153, Section 38, as amended) is amended to read:
LEVEL ONE LICENSURE.-- o t hr A.
"22-10A-7.
A level one license is a provisional five-year g e i k h r license for beginning teachers that requires as a condition of i s h licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program , t, e u g for at least one full school year and an annual intensive e b l e e h n d d i performance evaluation by a school administrator for at least = = o h l ] b ,d three full school years before applying for a level two i a º e r i = r license.
LEVEL ONE LICENSURE.-- A.
t e w d m a n o d m :
A level one license is a provisional five-year license for beginning teachers that requires as a condition of licensure that the licensee undergo a formal mentorship program for at least one full school year and an annual intensive performance evaluation by a school administrator for at least three full school years before applying for a level two license.
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 6 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d B.
B.
If the teacher has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the five-year period, the teacher shall not be granted a level two license.
If the teacher has not demonstrated satisfactory progress and competence by the end of the five- year period, the teacher shall not be granted a level two license.
The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age who:
The department shall issue a standard level one license to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age HB 156/a Page 6 who:
h (1) holds a baccalaureate degree from an g o t hr accredited educational institution;
(1) holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution;
Show all 78 changed rows (38 more)
Previous
Latest
g e i k (2) has successfully completed a department- h r i s approved teacher preparation program from a nationally h , t, accredited or state-approved educational institution;
(2) has successfully completed a department- approved teacher preparation program from a nationally accredited or state-approved educational institution;
e u g e b l e e h (3) has passed the New Mexico teacher n d d i = = o h assessments examination, including for elementary licensure l ] b ,d i a º e beginning January 1, 2013, a rigorous assessment of the r i = r t e w d m a n o candidate's knowledge of the science of teaching reading;
(3) has passed the New Mexico teacher assessments examination, including for elementary licensure beginning January 1, 2013, a rigorous assessment of the candidate's knowledge of the science of teaching reading;
and d m :
and (4) meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 7 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (4) meets other qualifications for level one licensure, including clearance of the required background check.
The department shall issue an alternative level one license to an applicant who meets the requirements of Section 22-10A-8 NMSA 1978.
The department shall issue an alternative level one license to an applicant who meets the requirements of HB 156/a Page 7 Section 22-10A-8 NMSA 1978.
h G.
G.
The department shall establish competencies and g o t hr qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject g e i k areas of level one licensure, including early childhood, h r i s elementary, middle school, secondary, special and vocational h , t, education.
The department shall establish competencies and qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level one licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, special and vocational education.
e u g e b l e e h H.
H.
The minimum salary for a level one teacher, n d d i = = o h except for a teacher licensed pursuant to Subsection E of this l ] b ,d i a º e section, is [fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) ] fifty-five r i = r t e w d m a n o thousand dollars ($55,000) for a standard nine and one-half d m :
The minimum salary for a level one teacher, except for a teacher licensed pursuant to Subsection E of this section, is fifty-five thousand dollars ($55,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract;
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 8 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d month contract;
After the issuance of a license, a license holder shall not be required to meet changed requirements to maintain the license until such time as the license expires and the license holder seeks renewal of the license." SECTION SFCº 2.»SFC SFCº3.»SFC Section 22-10A-10 NMSA (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 41, as amended) is amended to read:
After the issuance of a license, a license holder shall not be required to meet changed requirements to maintain the license until such time as the license expires and the license holder seeks renewal of the license." SECTION 3.
Section 22-10A-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 41, as amended) is amended to read:
If a level two teacher does not demonstrate essential h competency in a given school year, the school district shall g o t hr provide the teacher with additional professional development g e i k and peer intervention during the following school year.
If a level two teacher does not demonstrate essential HB 156/a Page 8 competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the teacher with additional professional development and peer intervention during the following school year.
If by h r i s the end of that school year the teacher fails to demonstrate h , t, essential competency, a school district may choose not to e u g e b l e e h contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.
If, by the end of that school year, the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.
n d d i = = o h B.
B.
The department shall issue a level two license l ] b ,d i a º e to an applicant who has successfully taught at least three, but r i = r t e w d m a n o no more than five, years as a level one teacher or an d m :
The department shall issue a level two license to an applicant who has successfully taught at least three, but no more than five, years as a level one teacher or an alternative level one teacher, or a combination of the two, or is granted reciprocity as provided by department rules.
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 9 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d alternative level one teacher, or a combination of the two, or is granted reciprocity as provided by department rules.
The minimum salary for a level two teacher, except for those teachers with a vocational education license, is [sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) ] sixty-five thousand h dollars ($65,000) for a standard nine and one-half month g o t hr contract;
The minimum salary for a level two teacher, except for those teachers with a vocational education HB 156/a Page 9 license, is sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract;
provided that teachers in an extended learning time g e i k program or K-5 plus program shall receive additional salary at h r i s the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time." h , t, SECTION SFCº 3.»SFC SFCº4.»SFC Section 22-10A-11 NMSA e u g e b l e e h 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 42, as amended) is n d d i = = o h amended to read:
provided that teachers in an extended learning time program or K-5 plus program shall receive additional salary at the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time." SECTION 4.
l ] b ,d i a º e "22-10A-11.
Section 22-10A-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 42, as amended) is amended to read:
LEVEL THREE LICENSURE--TRACKS FOR TEACHERS.-- r i = r t e w d m a n o A.
"22-10A-11.
A level three-A license is a nine-year license d m :
LEVEL THREE LICENSURE--TRACKS FOR TEACHERS.-- A.
b e d s º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 10 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d granted to a teacher who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates instructional leader competencies.
A level three-A license is a nine-year license granted to a teacher who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates instructional leader competencies.
If by the end of that school year the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.
If, by the end of that school year, the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom.
The department shall grant a level three-A license to an applicant who has been a level two teacher for at least three years and holds a post-baccalaureate degree or national board for professional teaching standards certification;
The department shall grant a level three-A license to an applicant who has been a level two teacher for at least three years and holds a post-baccalaureate degree or national board for professional teaching standards HB 156/a Page 10 certification;
demonstrates instructional leader competence as required by the department and verified by the local superintendent through the highly objective uniform statewide h standard of evaluation;
demonstrates instructional leader competence as required by the department and verified by the local superintendent through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation;
and meets other qualifications for the u » r license.
and meets other qualifications for the license.
t h g e l i C.
C.
The department shall grant a level three-A h r i s license to an applicant seeking a level three-A vocational h , e h education license who does not meet the requirements of t u g e b l e e , gh Subsection B of this section, but who otherwise is eligible for n d d i = = o h a level three-A license, provided that the applicant:
The department shall grant a level three-A license to an applicant seeking a level three-A vocational education license who does not meet the requirements of Subsection B of this section, but who otherwise is eligible for a level three-A license;
l ] b ,d i a º r (1) has been a level two teacher for at least e r = t e w d m a n o three years;
provided that the applicant:
d m :
(1) has been a level two teacher for at least three years;
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e - 11 - e a n e d r e l u [ A d (2) provides documentation from an accredited higher education institution of the applicant's eligibility to teach dual-credit courses at the post-secondary level in the field in which the applicant is teaching;
(2) provides documentation from an accredited higher education institution of the applicant's eligibility to teach dual-credit courses at the post- secondary level in the field in which the applicant is teaching;
The minimum salary for a level three-A teacher, except teachers licensed pursuant to Subsection C of this section, is [seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) ] seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract;
The minimum salary for a level three-A teacher, except teachers licensed pursuant to Subsection C of this section, is seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract;
provided that teachers in an extended learning time program or K-5 plus program shall receive additional salary at the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time.
provided that HB 156/a Page 11 teachers in an extended learning time program or K-5 plus program shall receive additional salary at the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time.
h E.
E.
The minimum salary for a counselor who holds a u » r level three or three-A license as provided in the School t h g e l i Personnel Act and rules promulgated by the department shall be h r i s the same as provided for level three-A teachers pursuant to h , e h Subsection D of this section." t u g e b l e e , gh SECTION SFCº 4.»SFC SFCº5.»SFC EFFECTIVE DATE.--The n d d i = = o h effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
The minimum salary for a counselor who holds a level three or three-A license as provided in the School Personnel Act and rules promulgated by the department shall be the same as provided for level three-A teachers pursuant to Subsection D of this section." SECTION 5.
l ] b ,d i a º r - 12 - e r = t e w d m a n o d m :
EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2025.
b r e t º o t n = .229401.1AIC March 18, 2025 (3:46pm) s k m e e a n e d r e l u [ A d
HB 156/a Page 12 25
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (3)

Action History

  1. Signed

  2. House concurred in Senate amendments

  3. passed Senate

  4. DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

  5. Sent to Senate Finance Committee

  6. passed House

  7. DO PASS committee report adopted

  8. DO PASS committee report adopted

  9. Sent to House Education Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

3 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (109)

109 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 109 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 156?
HB 156 is sponsored by Heather Berghmans (Democrat), Mimi Stewart (Democrat), and Joy Garratt (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 156?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 28, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 156?
Track HB 156 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on HB 156

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of HB 156

Last checked for changes 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →