NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

The LFC is only preparing FIRs on bills referred to the Senate Finance Committee, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee and the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. The chief clerks are responsible for preparing and issuing all other bill analyses.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Room 416 of the State Capitol Building.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to SB73, SB74 & HB16

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SEC Amendment

The Senate Education Committee amendment clarifies that school districts may use their distribution to pay for moving costs for teachers that are recruited and move to New Mexico and have been certified by NBPTS.

Synopsis of Bill

This bill appropriates $300.0 to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000 to distribute to school districts that recruit quality teachers from other states who have obtained certification by the National Board for Professional Teachers Standards (NBPTS). Schools will also be allowed to use the funds to pay moving costs for teachers who are certified by NBPTS and have been recruited by the district.

Significant Issues

According to LESC, currently, 67 teachers in New Mexico are board certified, representing 15 school districts.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill appropriates $300.0 from the general fund to SDE for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. SDE is directed to distribute funds to school districts that recruit quality teachers from other states who have obtained certification by the NBPTS. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall revert to the general fund.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 16 and Senate Bill 73 both appropriate $350.0 from the general fund to the State Department of Education for the purpose of recruiting and assisting qualified New Mexico teachers who wish to become certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).

Senate Bill 74 enacts a new section of the Public School Code to provide a 20 percent salary increase for teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and contains a provision to reimburse teachers certified by NBPTS for the examination expense at a rate of two thousand dollars. In order to receive the salary increase and reimbursement for the examination, the teacher must successfully pass the exam and obtain certification by the NBPTS provided that the teacher prepared for the exam on his own time.

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