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 SB622, Relates to HB16, HB115, HB526, HJM 1, SB73, SB74, SB158, SB262, SB316, SB494

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

State Department of Public Education (SDE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HEC Amendment

The House Education Committee amendment changes the composition of the teacher merit pay task force to include three additional members. The three members shall be teachers appointed jointly by the National Education Association and New Mexico Federation of Teachers.

The amendment also revises the language to require the task force to report its findings and recommendations before the next legislative session. The task force's mandate will expire on January 3, 2000.

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 806 creates and provides funding for the teacher merit pay task force to research issues related to merit pay for teachers and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislative Education Study Committee before each Legislative Session.

Significant Issues

The bill requires that the Task force be composed of 18 members appointed as follows:

• •Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
• •Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;
• •Three members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
• •Two members appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
• •One member of the Governor's staff (appointed by the Governor);
• •Three members appointed by the Governor who are members of the business community and not employed in education services;
• •Three members appointed by the Governor who are school parents not employed in education services; and
• •One member appointed by the State Board of Education.

The bill also requires the task force to hold monthly meetings and to examine New Mexico statutes, constitutional provisions, rules, and court decisions related to merit pay for teachers. The bill also requires the task force to examine the activities in other states regarding merit pay.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Bill 622 appropriates $25.0 from the general fund to the Legislative Council Service for expenditure in fiscal year 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 will revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The LCS and the LESC would provide additional staffing functions.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 526 and Senate Bill 494 would appropriate fund to the State Department of Education to conduct a performance-based pilot project among a maximum of 45 volunteer teachers in high schools throughout the state. Also, House Bill 115a and Senate Bill 158a would amend the public school funding formula to provide National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified teachers with a salary increase. In addition, Senate Bill 316a would provide funds for school districts to reimburse NBPTS certified teachers recruited from out-of-state for moving expenses.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SDE indicates that there is no "sunset" for this task force.

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