SENATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL 659

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE; EXPANDING PRE-KINDERGARTEN; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. The legislature recognizes the vital importance of preparing children for elementary school, particularly for disadvantaged children.

          B. Seventy-one million dollars ($71,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund operating reserve to the following funds for expenditure in fiscal year 2019 and subsequent fiscal years to expand the provision of pre-kindergarten by the public education department and the children, youth and families department as follows:

                (1) thirty-five million five hundred thousand dollars ($35,500,000) to the public pre-kindergarten fund to expand the public education department's pre-kindergarten program; and

                (2) thirty-five million five hundred thousand dollars ($35,500,000) to the children, youth and families pre-kindergarten fund to expand the children, youth and families department's pre-kindergarten program.

          C. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2020 shall not revert to the general fund.

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