Committee Substitute February 3, 2025 in SEC:

SECcs/SB 19: The Senate Education Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 19 (SECcs/SB 19) enacts a new section in Chapter 21 NMSA 1978, requiring mandatory training for all members of the boards of regents of state educational institutions and the governing boards of other public post-secondary institutions. The bill specifies that training must be completed within the first six months of a member’s term. The Higher Education Department (HED) is tasked with developing and delivering the training program.

The required 10-hour training curriculum consists of five two-hour modules covering distinct governance topics. The first module focuses on the New Mexico Constitution and state laws related to higher education institutions. The second module provides instruction on financial management, budgeting, and fiduciary responsibilities. The third module addresses student success and student support services, ensuring that board members understand their role in supporting academic achievement and campus resources. The fourth module covers institutional governance, innovation, and best practices, including information on federal, state, and nongovernmental resources available to assist board members in fulfilling their duties. The fifth and final module focuses on ethics and public accountability, including an overview of the Procurement Code, Open Meetings Act, Gift Act, and Inspection of Public Records Act.

The bill applies to all members appointed after the effective date and current board members with at least one year remaining in their term. Those currently serving who fall under the bill’s provisions must complete their training no later than December 31, 2025.

Implications
SECcs/SB 19 establishes standardized training requirements for the governing boards of state educational institutions, ensuring that members are well-versed in legal, financial, and governance responsibilities. By requiring comprehensive instruction on fiduciary duties, ethics, and student success, the bill aims to enhance institutional accountability and decision-making.

The Higher Education Department (HED) will incur administrative costs associated with developing and delivering the training. These costs may include curriculum development, training personnel, and implementation of tracking systems to ensure compliance. However, the training requirements may reduce governance-related legal challenges and financial mismanagement risks, leading to greater efficiency and transparency in the administration of public post-secondary institutions.

Since current board members with at least one year remaining in their term must complete training by December 31, 2025, institutions will need to ensure timely compliance. The requirement for board members to complete training within six months of appointment introduces a structured onboarding process, which may improve institutional continuity by ensuring that board members are informed upon assuming their roles.

The bill may receive support from higher education advocates, transparency groups, and financial oversight organizations but could face pushback from board members opposed to mandatory training requirements. 

Summary of Key Changes and Implications
The most significant change in SECcs/SB 19 is the expansion of the training requirement beyond state educational institution boards of regents to include governing boards of all public post-secondary institutions. This broadens the bill’s reach, requiring more board members to undergo training. The deadline for training completion has been shortened from one year to six months, ensuring that new board members are prepared sooner.

The substitute also formalizes compliance monitoring and reporting within HED, which may increase administrative costs beyond what was originally anticipated. Additionally, SECcs/SB 19 takes effect immediately upon passage, meaning that HED will need to implement the training requirements as soon as possible.