New Mexico SB307: HIGHER ED REGENT DECISIONS ABOUT TENURE

What the bill says

An act relating to higher education; providing that the boards of regents of state institutions of higher education have no power over decisions regarding academic tenure; providing that all decisions regarding academic tenure shall be made in accordance with an institution's policies and based on recommendations of the institution's faculty.

From the introduced text, February 4, 2026:

AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; PROVIDING THAT THE BOARDS OF REGENTS OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION HAVE NO POWER OVER DECISIONS REGARDING ACADEMIC TENURE; PROVIDING THAT ALL DECISIONS REGARDING ACADEMIC TENURE SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN INSTITUTION'S POLICIES AND BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INSTITUTION'S FACULTY. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 21 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read: "[NEW MATERIAL] DECISIONS REGARDING ACADEMIC TENURE AT STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.--The boards of regents of state institutions of higher education do not have the power to award, deny, revoke or place conditions on a tenured faculty position. All decisions regarding academic tenure at a state .232494.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ institution of higher education shall be made in accordance with the institution's policies and based on recommendations of the institution's faculty." - 2 - .232494.1

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• William E. Sharer (R, SD-001) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. February 4, 2026: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SRC/SEC
2. : Action Postponed Indefinitely

Common questions

What is SB307?

SB307 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HIGHER ED REGENT DECISIONS ABOUT TENURE.

What does SB307 do?

In its own words: An act relating to higher education; providing that the boards of regents of state institutions of higher education have no power over decisions regarding academic tenure; providing that all decisions regarding academic tenure shall be made in accordance with an institution's policies and based on recommendations of the institution's faculty.

What is the status of SB307?

In committee as of February 4, 2026. Latest action: Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/SRC/SEC (February 4, 2026).

Who sponsored SB307?

William E. Sharer (R, SD-001).

Where is the official record for SB307?

On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=307&year=26