LESC bill analyses are available on the New Mexico Legislature website (www.nmlegis.gov). Bill analyses are
prepared by LESC staff for standing education committees of the New Mexico Legislature. LESC does not assume
any responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.
LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE
BILL ANALYSIS
57th Legislature, 1st Session, 2025
Bill Number SB146 Sponsor Pope/Sariñana
Tracking Number .229784.1 Committee Referrals SHPAC/SJC
Short Title Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Original Date 2/17/2025
Analyst Davalos Last Updated
BILL SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 146 (SB146) would amend Section 11- 8B-1 NMSA 1978 to make technical corrections
to comply with federal code. The bill would clarify terminology by changing the term “sections”
to “chapters” in references to 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1209 (Active Duty) and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 1211
(National Guard Members in Federal Service) when discussing active duty members.
FISCAL IMPACT
SB146 does not contain an appropriation.
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The Interstate
Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is a nationwide agreement adopted by all 50 states to support military-connected students facing educational transitions. New Mexico
adopted legislation to join the compact in 2010 (see Section 11-8B-1 NMSA 1978). It establishes
uniform standards for kindergarten through 12th grade (K -12) schools to address enrollment,
placement, graduation requirements, and extracurricular eligibility challenges. The Interstate
Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children reports that on average, military affiliated students will attend six to nine different school systems during their K -12 education.
Each state maintains a state council that serves as an advisory body, ensuring compliance with the
compact and facilitating smooth transitions for military families.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Military-Connected Students in New Mexico. Data from the Public Education Department
(PED) for the 2022- 2023 school year reports 5,225 military- connected students enrolled in public
schools across New Mexico. However, the actual number may be higher, as PED masks students’
subgroups with low enrollment for privacy reasons. Additionally, this figure is likely to fluctuate due to the high mobility of military families.
SB146 – Page 2
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• LESC Files
• Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM)
• Department of Military Affairs (DMA)
• New Mexico Public Schools Insurance Authority ( NMPSIA)
• Regional Education Cooperatives Association (RECA)
ND/mam/mca/jkh