# What This Bill Does

This bill is Congress giving its official approval to a change New Mexico wants to make to its state constitution. Specifically, it's about how New Mexico uses money from its Permanent School Fund—a special pot of money that's been set aside for education for over a hundred years.

Right now, New Mexico's constitution limits how much money from this fund can be spent each year on schools. The state wants to change that rule to allow more money to be distributed annually. The extra funds would go toward helping students who are struggling academically, extending the school year, paying teachers better, and funding early childhood education programs. However, there's a catch: if New Mexico wants to use this money for early childhood education specifically, it needs to get Congress's permission first before spending it that way.

Why does Congress need to approve this? When New Mexico became a state, the federal government gave it this school fund with certain conditions attached. Those conditions are still technically in effect, which is why Congress has to sign off on changes to how the money gets used. Without this bill passing, New Mexico can't move forward with its constitutional amendment, even though New Mexico voters might support it. So essentially, this bill removes a federal roadblock and lets New Mexico proceed with its plan to put more education funding toward helping struggling students and improving teacher pay.

To provide the consent of Congress to an amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Mexico.

Stansbury, Melanie A.

 <p>This bill gives the consent of Congress for the amendment to the Constitution of New Mexico proposed by House Resolution 1 of the 55th Legislature of the State of New Mexico, First Session, 2021, titled<em> A Joint Resolution Proposing an Amendment to Article 12, Section 7 of the Constitution of New Mexico to Provide for Additional Annual Distributions of the Permanent School Fund for Enhanced Instruction for Students at Risk of Failure, Extending the School Year, Teacher Compensation and Early Childhood Education; Requiring Congressional Approval for Distributions for Early Childhood Education</em>.</p>