The 2023 session of the New Mexico State Legislature will soon get underway and while legislators have been busy pre-filing bills, The University of New Mexico has compiled a list of this year’s legislative priorities many of which are connected to the University’s 2040 goals.

As the flagship university for the state of New Mexico, UNM’s 2040 goals were designed as part of its long-term strategic plan to achieve a vibrant and thriving society and to build a healthier, better educated, and more economically vigorous New Mexico.

When the 60-day session opens on Tuesday, Jan. 17, legislators and the executive branch will once again be wrangling with record-high revenue projections and how best to invest in New Mexico, while continuing to increase cash reserves. Much of the anticipated $3.6 billion in “new” revenue projections is associated with record-high oil and gas revenues. “New money” is defined as projected recurring revenues for the following fiscal year less current year recurring appropriations. The session will end at noon on Saturday, March 18.

The FY24 Executive Budget Recommendation from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration totals $9.4 billion in recurring spending, an 11.9 percent increase from the last fiscal year. The executive recommendation will maintain reserves at 34.9 percent, once again, among the highest in the state’s history. Gov. Lujan Grisham has indicated her priorities for the session include housing and homelessness, health care and behavioral health, education and child well-being, public safety, and economic development and tax rebates.

How to track bills on interest...

Legislators have been busy filing proposed legislation that will be considered during this year’s 60-day session. UNM will be tracking several bills that will have an impact on its main and branch campuses including HSC, Human Resources, retirement, the budget or higher education in general. 

UNM’s Office of Government & Community Relations will keep the campus community apprised of bills of interest to the University on the UNM Bill Tracker. UNM encourages friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to also sign up for updates. The goal is to keep the campus community apprised of the process and provide the info you’ll need to navigate the 2023 legislative session.

The FY24 Legislative Budget Recommendation from the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) similarly totals $9.44 billion, a 12 percent increase or a $1.04 billion increase over FY23 spending. Reserves would be 30 percent of planned spending. The LFC proposed budget recommendations prioritize housing and homelessness, health care and behavioral health, education and child well-being, public safety, economic development and tax rebates.

The following gives a brief glimpse of The University of New Mexico’s Fiscal Year 2023 legislative priorities.

• Strengthen Recruitment and Retention of Faculty, Staff and Health Professionals
UNM 2040 Goals: Advance New Mexico; Student Experience and Educational Innovation; Inclusive Excellence; Sustainability; One University
-       Fully fund compensation increase of at least 10%
-       Support additional ERB employer contribution

• Enhance Student Services and Support, Workforce Development, Research and Public Service
UNM 2040 Goals: Advance New Mexico; Student Experience and Educational Innovation; Inclusive Excellence
-       Support I&G increase, RPSPs and other appropriations
-       Expand and accelerate workforce development
-       Increase endowments, expansion funds, student services, programmatic and research support
-       Grow STEM education capacity
-       Enhance teacher education and training

• Improve Student/Learning Environments and Campus Safety and Accessibility
UNM 2040 Goals: Student Experience and Educational Innovation; Sustainability
-       Fund Capital requests and building renewal and replacement investments
-       Support other appropriations

• Support Current and Future Students: Opportunity, Lottery and Graduate Scholarships
UNM 2040 Goals: Student Experience and Educational Innovation; Inclusive Excellence; Sustainability
-       Sustain scholarship opportunities

• Enhance Health Care Access and Improve Health Outcomes Statewide
UNM 2040 Goals: Advance New Mexico; Student Experience and Educational Innovation; Inclusive Excellence; Sustainability; One University
-       Increase provider rates
-       Support targeted incentives for practicing in underserved areas
-       Address barriers to licensure and credentialing

• Promote Economic Development and Energy Efficiency
UNM 2040 Goals: Advance New Mexico; Inclusive Excellence; Sustainability
-       Support RPSPs, capital and other appropriations
-       Grow the Technology Enhancement Fund
-       Cultivate entrepreneurialism and tech transfer

In terms of specific capital outlay projects, UNM has identified several connected to campus safety initiatives and infrastructure improvements and Information Technology upgrades.

Those outlay projects include:

  • Essential Campus Infrastructure ($8.905 million)
  • Central Campus Environmental Water Systems ($8 million)
  • UNM Albuquerque Campus Critical Safety & Security Improvements ($5.3 million)
  • Information Technology Upgrades ($3.68 million)

The UNM Health Sciences Center has also identified several capital outlay projects including:

  • Upgrade to Interprofessional Health Simulation Center ($5 million)
  • College of Pharmacy Renovation Planning & Design ($3 million)
  • Health Sciences Library & Informatics Center 2nd Floor Renovation ($2.85 million)
  • HSC Research Equipment ($2.4 million)

 Expansion Requests (includes total request including base plus increase amount):

  • Office of the Medical Investigator ($9.84 million) 
  • Athletics ($8 million) 
  • NM Poison & Drug Information Center ($2.48 million) 
  • Graduate Medical Education Residencies ($2.24 million) 
  • Graduate Education Nurse Practitioner Funding ($2.2 million) 
  • Educational Television KNME ($1.17 million) 

For a more detailed and complete list, visit UNM's 2023 Legislative Priorities.