The proposed bill enacts the "State-Tribal Education Compact Schools Act," which authorizes the Public Education Department to enter into state-tribal education compacts for the establishment of language- and culture-based schools. The bill outlines an application process for Indian nations, tribes, or pueblos to create these compact schools, emphasizing the prioritization of distinct language groups in New Mexico. It also grants the department rulemaking authority and mandates that state-tribal education compact schools comply with specific operational requirements while being exempt from certain state statutes and rules applicable to traditional school districts.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that state-tribal education compact schools will not charge tuition but may impose fees for extracurricular activities. It allows for employment preferences for tribal members and prioritizes admissions for tribal members when capacity is limited. The schools will be eligible for state and federal funding, and they must report student enrollment and progress to relevant legislative committees. The act also includes provisions for compliance with the Open Meetings Act and amends existing definitions in the Public School Capital Outlay Act to include state-tribal education compact schools. The effective date for the provisions of this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-24-3
Final Version: 22-24-3