46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION; PROVIDING FOR A ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENTAL SALARY INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--APPROPRIATION--FISCAL YEAR 2003 ONE-TIME SUPPLEMENTAL SALARY INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.--Fourteen million dollars ($14,000,000) is appropriated from school districts and charter schools cash balances to provide a two percent one-time supplemental salary increase to each public school employee calculated on one-half the amount of salary paid to each employee for the 2002-2003 contract year or school year as applicable, payable in one or more lump sum payments in the pay periods between the effective date of this act and the end of the school year. The one-time supplemental salary increase shall not be considered salary for the purposes of the Educational Retirement Act.

Section 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION--SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION--DUTY.--Except as provided in Section 3 of this act, the superintendent of public instruction shall take reasonable action to ensure that each school district and charter school provides the one-time supplemental salary increase as provided in Section 1 of this act to each public school employee.

Section 3. TEMPORARY PROVISION--WAIVER.--A school district or charter school may request a waiver of the requirement provided in Section 1 of this act from the superintendent of public instruction for a hardship that would impair the operation of the school district or charter school.

Section 4. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.