SENATE MEMORIAL 31

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A FLAT PER DIEM RATE OF NO LESS THAN NINETY-FIVE DOLLARS ($95.00) PER MEETING FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ATTENDANCE AT AUTHORIZED SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS, TRAINING AND OTHER GATHERINGS.

     WHEREAS, school boards are elected by their community to represent the values and beliefs of the community and represent the public's voice in public education, providing citizen governance for what the public schools need and what the community wants; and

     WHEREAS, school board members meet with stakeholders to obtain input and feedback regarding the policies of the public schools; and

     WHEREAS, school board members must dedicate many hours outside of school board meetings in reviewing reports, including detailed financial reports, policy recommendations and extensive prior research; and

     WHEREAS, school board business necessitates travel for school board members; and

     WHEREAS, historically, statutory rates for per diem for every nonsalaried public official, including school board members, was up to ninety-five dollars ($95.00) for board meetings; and

     WHEREAS, effective April 6, 2021, Senate Bill 345 changed the rates of per diem reimbursement for in-state and out-of-state travel for certain public officials, including school board members; and

     WHEREAS, the new per diem rates allow:

          A. forty-five dollars ($45.00) if the officer physically attends the board or committee meeting for less than four hours or the officer attends a virtual meeting of any duration during a single calendar day; and

          B. ninety-five dollars ($95.00) if the officer physically attends the board or committee meeting for four hours or more during a single calendar day; and

     WHEREAS, the new reduced per diem rates are not equitable and are causing hardship for school board members;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to study the feasibility of establishing a flat per diem rate of no less than ninety-five dollars ($95.00) per meeting for school board member attendance at authorized school board meetings, training and other gatherings; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee be requested to report its findings and conclusions to the appropriate legislative interim committee by October 1, 2022; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the legislative education study committee, the chair of the legislative finance committee, the secretary of public education and the secretary of higher education.

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