This bill amends existing laws regarding the allocation and use of funds from the transportation distribution of the public school fund in New Mexico. It specifies that these funds shall be utilized for payments to school districts and state-chartered charter schools for transportation costs, which now explicitly include the expenses associated with picking up the first student and returning the bus after the last student is dropped off. Additionally, the bill expands the definition of eligible students to include three- and four-year-old children who meet certain criteria for developmental disabilities. It also introduces a provision that allows for the allocation of excess transportation funds, with stipulations on how those funds can be used.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the calculation of transportation allocations by removing a previous requirement for specific fiscal years and clarifying the definition of "total operational expenditures" to include the costs associated with the transportation of students as mentioned earlier. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the clarity and efficiency of transportation funding for public education in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-8-26, 22-8-29.1