SB 29 New Mexico Senate · 2026 Regular Session

MATH REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHING LICENSE

SB 29 increases mathematics requirements for teachers seeking New Mexico teaching licenses or math endorsements. It mandates nine semester hours of college-level math (up from six) for all teaching licenses and requires six hours of specialized math teaching courses for those seeking a math endorsement, effective July 2027. The bill also establishes a Mathematics and Science Bureau to implement new frameworks, including mandatory math screening assessments for students and district-level math professional learning plans. These changes directly affect educators pursuing initial licensure or math endorsements, aiming to strengthen math instruction through standardized teacher preparation and school-level support systems.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Signed Mar 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico's education statutes to strengthen mathematics education by updating teacher licensure requirements, creating a new mathematics and science bureau, and establishing a framework for mathematics instructional leadership. The changes aim to improve student success in mathematics through enhanced teacher preparation, new assessment tools, and dedicated oversight.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general mathematics education improvements to include specific licensure requirements, a new state bureau, and defined professional development frameworks for mathematics instruction.

REQUIREMENT

Updated teacher licensure requirements to mandate specific semester hours in mathematics, laboratory science, and other subjects for elementary, special, early childhood, and secondary education licensure.

Added specific mathematics methods course requirements for elementary and secondary licensure, with implementation dates set for July 1, 2028.

Added requirements for student teaching duration and supervision, with specific provisions for senior year placement.

Created a new computer science license endorsement with requirements for content knowledge and expert consultation.

STRUCTURE

Created a new mathematics and science bureau within the department to oversee mathematics and science education initiatives.

DEFINITION

Defined key terms including mathematics difficulty, mathematics instructional leadership framework, mathematics professional learning plan, mathematics screening assessment, and mathematics support plan.

TIMELINE

Established implementation timelines for new licensure requirements and computer science endorsement creation.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria for vocational teacher preparatory programs, allowing exemptions based on department determination.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 29, 2026 · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

31–0

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 38

Jan 29, 2026

D Democratic22

20 Yea 2

90% Yea

R Republican16

11 Yea 5

68% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 9, 2026

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Feb 18, 2026

Executive · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments

executive

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

lower

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Introduced

Sent to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee & House Education Committee

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Jan 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Sent to Senate Committees' Committee & Senate Education Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors