HB 64 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

EXPAND POST-SECONDARY TUITION ELIGIBILITY

HB 64 would expand eligibility for New Mexico's in-state tuition rates and state financial aid to include non-residents regardless of immigration status, provided they meet one of three criteria: graduating from a New Mexico high school, completing two semesters of adult education in the state, or earning income in New Mexico for two years with filed tax returns. This change requires public post-secondary institutions to grant these benefits on the same terms as New Mexico residents, removing immigration status as a barrier for qualifying individuals. The bill applies to all state-funded financial aid and tuition rates at public colleges and universities. It is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Immigration

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Vetoed

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Vetoed Apr 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands eligibility for in-state tuition rates and state-funded financial aid in New Mexico to include undocumented students who meet specific criteria, including those with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. The changes remove barriers that previously excluded certain non-citizen students from accessing state education benefits.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope of eligibility from only students who attended New Mexico schools for a year and graduated or received equivalency credentials to include additional categories of students, including those with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the immigration status exclusion language to expand eligibility beyond just students who attended New Mexico schools for one year and graduated.

Added a new eligibility category for students who attended adult education courses recognized by the state for a period equivalent to two semesters.

Added a new eligibility category for students who earned income in New Mexico in the preceding two years and filed income tax returns.

Added a new eligibility category for students with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status who have submitted applications for that status to the Department of Homeland Security.

Changed the title of the nondiscrimination policy from 'Admission to Public Post-Secondary Educational Institutions' to 'Nondiscrimination in Eligibility for Education Benefits' to reflect the expanded scope.

TIMELINE

Added Section 2 establishing July 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new provisions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Mar 8, 2025

How they voted

22–14

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic24

22 Yea 2

91% Yea

R Republican16

14 Nay 2

87% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2025

Vetoed

Pocket Veto

executive

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Education Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

Mar 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Education Committee & House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

lower

Jan 10, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Pre-file

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors