Bill > HB263

This bill, titled the "Legislative Lottery Scholarship Act," aims to standardize and clarify the administration of lottery scholarships for New Mexico students pursuing higher education. It defines key terms such as "community college," "comprehensive institution" (listing specific universities), "department" (referring to the higher education department), "fund" (the lottery tuition fund), "legislative lottery scholarship" (which covers only tuition costs at a uniform amount determined annually), "public post-secondary educational institution" (including community colleges, comprehensive institutions, research institutions, and state educational institutions), and "qualified student" (outlining specific high school graduation or equivalency requirements and immediate enrollment or honorable military service followed by enrollment). The bill mandates that by June 1st each year, the department will determine the available scholarship funds, set a uniform award amount for tuition, notify educational institutions, and distribute funds accordingly, ensuring the scholarship amount does not exceed actual tuition costs. It also establishes eligibility requirements for students, including maintaining a 2.5 GPA, completing a minimum number of credit hours, and adhering to specific semester limits for different types of institutions, with provisions for students with disabilities to receive accommodations. The bill also amends existing law to transfer the administration of the lottery tuition fund from the "commission on higher education" to the "department" and clarifies that funds are appropriated by the legislature for tuition assistance to qualified students. Finally, it requires the department to create rules for student eligibility and program administration, and to report annually to legislative committees on program participation and financial status.