New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB306: HIGHER ED REGIONAL DISTINCTION
Status: Passed one chamber, February 15, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to higher education; eliminating the distinction between regionally and nonregionally accredited institutions; changing language from "registration" to "licensure".
From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; ELIMINATING THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN REGIONALLY AND NONREGIONALLY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS; CHANGING LANGUAGE FROM "REGISTRATION" TO "LICENSURE". BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 21-23-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1971, Chapter 303, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read: "21-23-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Post-Secondary Educational Institution Act: A. "career school" means a non-accredited private post-secondary educational institution offering a formal educational curriculum in New Mexico for a fee to members of the general public beyond compulsory school age, terminating in a certificate or diploma [associate degree] or comparable confirmation of completion of the curriculum; .233203.1SA wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ B. "college" or "university" means [a] an accredited private post-secondary educational institution offering a formal educational curriculum in New Mexico for a fee to members of the general public beyond compulsory school age, terminating in [a] an associate, a baccalaureate, a master's or a doctoral degree or comparable confirmation of completion of the curriculum; C. "department" means the higher education department; D. "enrollment agreement" means an agreement, instrument or note executed before a person begins coursework that creates a binding obligation between the person and the post-secondary educational institution; E. "license" means a written acknowledgment by the department that a [career school or …
Sponsors
- Nicole Tobiassen (R, SD-021) · primary sponsor
- Brian G. Baca (R, HD-008)
- Wilson, Rex (R, 33)
Latest actions
- : Sent to HEC - Referrals: HEC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:42 N:0
- : SEC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SEC
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 14, 2026): 42 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: EDUCATION, POST SECONDARY
Common questions
- What is SB306?
- SB306 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HIGHER ED REGIONAL DISTINCTION.
- What does SB306 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to higher education; eliminating the distinction between regionally and nonregionally accredited institutions; changing language from "registration" to "licensure".
- What is the status of SB306?
- Passed one chamber as of February 15, 2026. Latest action: Sent to HEC - Referrals: HEC (February 15, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB306?
- Nicole Tobiassen (R, SD-021), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB306?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=306&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.