New Mexico SB64: CREATE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

What the bill says

An act relating to public education; enacting the special education act; creating the office of special education in the public education department; providing for a deputy secretary of special education; providing powers and duties; removing gifted students from special education; recompiling current special education statutes into the special education act; amending, repealing, enacting and recompiling sections of the nmsa 1978.

From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; ENACTING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ACT; CREATING THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT; PROVIDING FOR A DEPUTY SECRETARY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; REMOVING GIFTED STUDENTS FROM SPECIAL EDUCATION; RECOMPILING CURRENT SPECIAL EDUCATION STATUTES INTO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ACT; AMENDING, REPEALING, ENACTING AND RECOMPILING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 22-1-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 153, Section 3, as amended by Laws 2019, Chapter 206, Section 1 and by Laws 2019, Chapter 207, Section 1) is amended to read: "22-1-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Public School Code: A. "academic proficiency" means mastery of the subject-matter knowledge and skills specified in state academic content and performance standards for a student's grade level; B. "charter school" means a school authorized by a chartering authority to operate as a public school; C. "commission" means the public education commission; SB Page D. "department" means the public education department; E. "exceptional child" means a school-age person whose abilities render regular services of a public school inconsistent with the student's educational needs; F. "gifted child" means a school-age person determined to be gifted pursuant to Section 22-13-6.1 NMSA 1978 and standards adopted by the department in accordance with that …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Mimi Stewart (D, SD-017) · primary sponsor
• Joy Garratt (D, HD-029)
• Cindy Nava (D, SD-009)
• Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039)

Latest actions

1. March 9, 2026: Signed by Governor - Chapter 55 - Mar. 9
2. February 17, 2026: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:62 N:1
3. February 13, 2026: HEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
4. February 9, 2026: HGEIC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
5. February 5, 2026: Sent to HGEIC - Referrals: HGEIC/HEC
6. February 4, 2026: Passed in the Senate - Y:38 N:1
7. February 2, 2026: SFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
8. January 28, 2026: SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
9. January 23, 2026: SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
10. January 22, 2026: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SEC/SFC

Votes

• House Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 62 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Floor Vote (February 4, 2026): 38 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB64?

SB64 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CREATE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION.

What does SB64 do?

In its own words: An act relating to public education; enacting the special education act; creating the office of special education in the public education department; providing for a deputy secretary of special education; providing powers and duties; removing gifted students from special education; recompiling current special education statutes into the special education act; amending, repealing, enacting and recompiling sections of the nmsa 1978.

What is the status of SB64?

Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 55 - Mar. 9 (March 9, 2026).

Who sponsored SB64?

Mimi Stewart (D, SD-017), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB64?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=64&year=26