House Memorial 58 requests the Legislative Education Study Committee and the Legislative Finance Committee to conduct a study during the 2026 legislative interim focused on public school transportation barriers and their contribution to chronic absenteeism in New Mexico. The memorial highlights that since the public health emergency in 2020, chronic absenteeism has remained a significant issue, with over 124,000 students missing at least eighteen school days during the 2023-2024 school year. It identifies various transportation barriers, particularly in rural areas and charter schools, that hinder student attendance, including limited bus routes and insufficient funding.

The study aims to examine the impact of these transportation barriers on absenteeism, especially for students in rural areas and those living close to public schools. Additionally, it seeks to identify innovative strategies from other states that have successfully addressed similar issues and to review the effectiveness and equitable administration of existing state transportation funding. The findings and recommendations from this study are to be reported by December 31, 2026, to relevant stakeholders, including the governor and education officials.