SENATE BILL 33

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; CREATING THE HIGH SCHOOL WATER MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM PILOT PROJECT; REQUIRING REPORTING; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 22, Article 13 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] HIGH SCHOOL WATER MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM--PILOT PROJECT--REPORTING AND EVALUATION.--

          A. The "high school water management and conservation program" is created as a two-year pilot project that creates a one-credit, elective high school course. The purpose of the high school water management and conservation program is to provide high school students with an understanding of the basic principles of water management and conservation and to better prepare high school students for entry into the workforce or into vocational or academic programs in a subject area that is vital to the future of New Mexico.

          B. The high school water management and conservation program shall be administered by the department and shall provide the funding for the development of a suitable curriculum and for implementation in one or more high schools.

          C. The department shall determine application requirements and procedures and criteria for evaluating applications for the implementation of the high school water management and conservation program. An applicant shall demonstrate that its proposed high school water management and conservation program curriculum will meet all department standards and employ only qualified teachers and other staff.

          D. The department shall establish reporting and evaluation requirements for participating schools, including student and program assessments. The department shall provide interim and final reports annually to the legislature and the governor on the efficacy of the high school water management and conservation program.

          E. The department may use up to four percent of any appropriation made by the legislature for the high school water management and conservation program for professional development for participating educators and department administrative costs."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the public education department for expenditure in fiscal years

2020 and 2021 for curriculum development and operational expenses, including teacher salaries, for the high school water management and conservation program. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2021 shall revert to the general fund.

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