BILINGUAL LICENSE ENDORSEMENT PGM UNITS

HB 119 adds a new funding category for school districts based on the number of licensed teachers with bilingual endorsements working in approved programs. School districts earn additional state funding for each such teacher, but must verify the teacher holds a valid bilingual endorsement, works in a department-approved program, and receives a salary differential (extra pay) equal to the funding value. This directly affects bilingual-certified teachers and school districts receiving state education funding. The bill modifies New Mexico’s school finance formula to include this category as a separate "program unit" for calculating district funding. It does not change teacher certification requirements but ties funding to verified bilingual staff and their compensation.