HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 11

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Sharon Clahchischilliage

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 4, SECTION 31 AND ARTICLE 12, SECTION 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ALLOW TRIBAL COLLEGES TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDS.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 31 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. No appropriation shall be made for charitable, educational or other benevolent purposes to any person, corporation, association, institution or community not under the absolute control of the state, but the legislature may, in its discretion, make appropriations for the charitable institutions and hospitals, for the maintenance of which annual appropriations were made by the legislative assembly of nineteen hundred and nine, or to a tribal college accredited as provided by law.

          B. As used in this section, "tribal college" means a tribally, federally or congressionally chartered post- secondary educational institution located in New Mexico that is accredited."

     SECTION 2. It is proposed to amend Article 12, Section 3 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. The schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions provided for by this constitution shall forever remain under the exclusive control of the state [and]. No part of the proceeds arising from the sale or disposal of any lands granted to the state by congress [or any] shall be used for the support of any sectarian, denominational or private school, college or university. No other funds appropriated, levied or collected for educational purposes, shall be used for the support of any sectarian, denominational or private school, college or university, except for a tribal college accredited as provided by law.

          B. As used in this section, "tribal college" means a tribally, federally or congressionally chartered post-secondary educational institution located in New Mexico that is accredited."

     SECTION 3. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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