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Nature Sculpts Another Planet in the Badlands of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah

Juan Oliveros
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Nature Sculpts Another Planet in the Badlands of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah

SAN JUAN COUNTY, NEW MEXICO —  In northwestern New Mexico, only a few miles from the turnoff to Chaco Culture National Historical Park along U.S. Highway 550, the pavement gives way to dust — and then Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah.

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah or “gray salt” in Navajo is a wilderness under the Bureau of Land Management of New Mexico. It is where time, wind, and water had sculpted mushroom-like hoodoos — fantastical shapes defying expectation that appears stretching endlessly across the badlands.

BLM website described it as “a badland area of rolling water-carved clay hills” glowing under the desert sun.

Some places in the wilderness have fragments of petrified palm wood that look like spilling from the hillsides — reminders of a prehistoric landscape about 75 million years ago.

In this wilderness, silence amplifies the drama. And that means no visitor centers. No paved trails. No interpretive signs telling you where to look. Only a vast, open canvas of rock formations.

No trails, no rules — just respect

The easiest way to begin exploring is from the BLM parking area along unpaved New Mexico State Road 57. From there, an old jeep road cuts through sagebrush grassland. Walk about 0.65 miles and the vegetation abruptly falls away, revealing a sculpted landscape of ridges and drainages that looks almost extraterrestrial.

In his article published in Albuquerque Journal, David Ryan wrote, “Because there are no formal trails, just start wandering. There is no wrong way to explore Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah.”

Very appealing is the freedom to explore Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah — but so is responsibility.

Visitors can navigate through dry washes and gullies. They can choose their own paths through the formations where the soil is unpredictable in its fragility.

This is where the drama heightens: A single careless step on a crusted slope can leave scars that will last for years. Climb carefully. Stay aware of your route. A handheld GPS or marked waypoint is a big help to trace your way back to the parking area.

A “leave no trace” rules apply because it is a state-designated wilderness area. No gathering of petrified wood or removing any natural feature. The place is for your eyes only, preserved for the next visitor.

Fast Facts: Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area

Location: San Juan County, northwestern New Mexico, USA

Area: Approximately 6,563 acres (26.56 km²)

Managing agency: Bureau of Land Management

Geologic age: Late Cretaceous period (about 75 million years ago)

Primary features: Hoodoos, fossils, and dramatic badlands terrain

Best time to go

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah has no water and virtually no shade. Temperatures during summer can be punishing. It is safer to explore the badlands during cooler months — fall, winter, and early spring.

A quick check for weather conditions before heading out is a must. Access roads leading to the area are unpaved and may be difficult or impassable after rain.

Getting there

Drive north on U.S. Highway 550 from Alburquerque. Near the Nageezi chapter house, turn west onto San Juan County Road 7800 between 115 and 116 mile markers.

The road is paved for first four miles and for the remaining stretch is a well-maintained dirt road. CR 7800 ends at NM 57 after 12.4 miles. Turn left and continue 15.5 miles to the BLM parking area.

An important reminder: NM 57 is sandier than CR 7800, and attempting to travel it during inclement weather is discouraged.

NMSU Assistant Professor Receives 2025 Gentec-EO Laser Lab Award, Pledges to Share It with Students 

Grace Tackman
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NMSU Assistant Professor Receives 2025 Gentec-EO Laser Lab Award, Pledges to Share It with Students 

Miranda van Iersel, an assistant professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), earned the 2025 Gentec-EO Laser Lab Award. The award provides international recognition for supporting hands-on optics and photonics education.

Van Iersel, who is from NMSU’s Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, plans to share her award with students.

Through the award, van Iersel received a Pronto SI laser power meter, a portable device measuring laser beam intensity. She will integrate the instrument into multiple undergraduate and graduate courses. It will allow students to directly connect theoretical concepts to real-world optical measurements.

NMSU reported that Van Iersel discovered the award opportunity while attending an international optics education conference in Glasgow, Scotland. Laser technology leader Gentec-EO invited educators to apply, showing how the device enhanced classroom and laboratory instruction.

“It was a very short proposal focused on how the device would be used in education,” van Iersel said. “I’m teaching several optics- and laser-focused courses, so it was easy to explain how valuable a small, portable measurement tool like this would be for students.”

How Pronto SI Benefits NMSU Engineering Students

The Pronto SI will be used in three core electrical and computer engineering courses, starting with 400-level Introduction to Optics. For many students, the class serves as their first in-depth exposure to optical concepts. This ranges from ray and wave optics to lasers and fiber optics.

“Because this is their first serious introduction to optics, demonstrations are incredibly important,” van Iersel said. “With this device, I can bring laser measurements directly into the classroom and show students how things like alignment affect laser power in real time.”

In the 500-level Fundamentals of Photonics course, students participate in multiple laboratory experiments throughout the semester. Van Iersel will incorporate the new device into experiments on optical alignment, fiber optics, Gaussian beam characterization and polarization effects.

“For example, when students are aligning an optical setup, they can now see exactly how even a slight misalignment impacts the measured power,” van Iersel said. “That kind of immediate feedback really helps build intuition, which is essential for anyone working in optics or photonics.”

Pronto SI Benefits Extend Beyond NMSU Students

Graduate students will gain additional benefits from the award through a specialized elective course on lasers. In this class, students work with open laser cavities. They explore how factors such as mirror distance and internal obstructions influence laser output and beam modes.

“The Pronto SI allows us to expand the experiments and better connect theory to the measurements students will encounter in real research labs,” van Iersel said.

Van Iersel also plans to use the device for outreach activities beyond formal coursework. These include demonstrations for middle and high school students during campus open house days and summer camps. Additionally, she will incorporate the tool into undergraduate research projects, internships, and senior capstone experiences.

Much of van Iersel’s research focuses on how light interacts with complex environments such as air and water. Her work has practical implications for optical communication, environmental monitoring and sensing technologies.

Award Expands Opportunities for NMSU Engineering Students

Van Iersel’s lab is currently exploring optical techniques to detect microplastics in water, a growing environmental concern. Researchers study how light scatters and absorbs across different materials to develop faster methods for identifying contaminants.

“These are problems students don’t always realize are connected to optics,” van Iersel said. “But once they see how measuring light applies to everything from internet communication to environmental health, it really changes how they view the field.”

With the Gentec-EO Laser Lab Award, van Iersel expands opportunities for NMSU engineering students to gain hands-on optical instrumentation experience. This investment supports both education and research across multiple levels.

“This is exactly the kind of tool that helps students bridge the gap between equations on a page and the real systems they’ll work with in their careers,” van Iersel said.

New Mexico Environment Chief Slams EPA Repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Environment Chief Slams EPA Repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding

SANTA FE, New Mexico — The head of New Mexico’s environment agency on Thursday denounced the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) repeal of its 2009 “endangerment finding.” He called the move a major setback for climate policy and collective efforts to protect public health.

In a statement, New Mexico Environment Department Secretary James Kenney said the decision erased decades of science-based policy that served as the backbone of federal climate regulations.

“Today, the federal government destroyed decades of established policies grounded in hard science recognized by the American and global scientific community,” Kenney said.

The endangerment finding, adopted in 2009, concluded that greenhouse gas emissions threaten public health and welfare. It became the legal basis for a broad range of federal rules with the aim to rollback emissions and address climate change.

Kenney does not believe that repealing the policy would lower costs as argued by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration described the repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding as a way to reduce regulatory costs, make vehicles cheaper for the consumers, and save about $1.3 trillion in regulatory burden. White House officials used these points to justify the repeal.

But Kenney disagreed, saying it will discourage domestic investment and slow down technological innovation.

Households could face higher insurance premiums, healthcare costs, and disaster recovery due to the impacts of a warming climate, he warned.

Despite EPA’s decision, Kenney said New Mexico would be pursuing its own climate agenda.

He said the state, under the administration of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, has demonstrated that economic growth and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions can go hand in hand.

He added that the Grisham administration will continue to innovate around climate solutions for the good of the people and economy.

New Mexico House Passes HB 4 to Protect Health Coverage as Enrollment Surges 17 Percent

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico House Passes HB 4 to Protect Health Coverage as Enrollment Surges 17 Percent

SANTA FE, New Mexico — The House of Representatives of New Mexico has approved House Bill 4 on a 48-19 bipartisan vote. The measure aims to shield residents from losing health coverage amid sweeping federal cuts.

HB 4 increases revenue for New Mexico’s Health Care Affordability Fund (HCAF) to keep insurance premiums and out-of-pocket exspenses affordable for working families and small businesses. Reps. Reena Szczepanski and Liz Thomson sponsored the bill.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said the legislation responds to federal actions last year that rolled back enhanced premium tax credits and slashed Medicaid funding.

“New Mexico is not going to stand by while Washington decisions threaten health care access for our families,” Lujan Grisham said.

The measure, she said, aims to protect coverage and ensure New Mexicans can continue accessing health care.

$366 million for affordability

Next year’s executive budget recommends the allocation of $366 million for health care affordability programs. State officials estimate the investment could protect coverage for up to 46,600 individuals and reduce health care costs for some 122,000 people statewide.

Szczepanski, the House majority leader, said the measure is one of the most critical measures of the session. The lawmaker said it would stabilize health care system and save families from losing insurance due to federal government’s decision.

Enrollment rises despite national decline

The measure comes as New Mexico bucks a national trend of declining health insurance enrollment.

Data show a statewide enrollment climbed by 17 percent. The number defied a natonwide decline due to higher premiums and coverage losses following federal subsidy rollback.

National figures from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicate that many Americans are being forced into high-deductible plans as health care costs rise. The average deductible reaches $7,476 discouraging most Americans from seeking medical care.

In contrast, New Mexico has seen a shift from high-deductible coverage. State records showed enrollment in high-deductible Bronze plans dropped to 3.1 percent from 3.4 percent. At the same time, more residents signed up for Turquoise Plans, which offer the lowest out-of-pocket costs in the state’s insurance marketplace.

State officials credit the Health Care Affordability Fund and related reforms with cushioning the impact of federal cuts.

WNMU Proposes Learning Hub To Further Drive Student Success

Grace Tackman
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WNMU Proposes Learning Hub To Further Drive Student Success

Western New Mexico University (WNMU) continues to explore initiatives to ensure student success.

The Associated Students of Western New Mexico University (ASWNMU) formally requests state funding to establish the ASWNMU Learning Hub. This project represents a comprehensive effort to modernize the university’s academic infrastructure. The Hub revitalizes the robust student support systems that have long anchored the Mustang experience.

According to WNMU, the ASWNMU Learning Hub proposal is a direct response to the evolving needs of the student body. Previous funding requests focused on specialized high-tech laboratory systems. The student government identified a more pressing need: creating a centralized, holistic environment focused on academic retention and peer-to-peer connections. 

“WNMU is moving forward with a clearer vision,” said ASWNMU President Carlos Carranza. “The ASWNMU Learning Hub is not just a physical renovation; it is a vital investment in building a community of Mustangs who feel supported, capable, and ready to graduate. By reviving the spirit of the Center for Student Success, we are creating a space designed intentionally for community-building and connected learning.”

ASWNMU Learning Hub’s Role in Academic Support

ASWNMU Learning Hub revives the successful integrated support model of the former Center for Student Success. The center played a vital role in campus life before interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed Hub will serve as a visible academic sanctuary, consolidating the university’s essential support services into one accessible location. The university is bringing student tutoring, the Writing Center, and the Math Café into a single centralized environment. This effort aims to eliminate barriers to assistance. It encourages a culture where seeking academic support is a natural part of the daily student routine.

Designing the ASWNMU Learning Hub

Beyond traditional tutoring, the facility will be constructed to meet the demands of a 21st century workforce. Plans for the Hub include implementing technology-equipped zones where students can complete coursework using industry-standard tools. These zones ensure students become proficient in the technologies they will encounter after graduation. 

The Hub’s architectural vision focuses on versatility, incorporating a mix of:

  • Areas dedicated to group projects and peer workshops that promote teamwork and communication.
  • Environmentally controlled areas designed for deep concentration and individual research.
  • Intentionally designed spaces that facilitate informal mentorship and community-building among students from diverse academic backgrounds.

The Purpose of ASWNMU Learning Hub

This legislative request centers on the conviction that modernized, centralized facilities are a prerequisite for student success. By unifying fragmented services into a “one-stop” Hub, WNMU expects measurable improvements in student retention and graduation rates. 

The project aims to create a stronger connection between classroom instruction and professional achievement. Its goal is to provide students with resources to navigate complex degree requirements in a supportive, high-energy atmosphere.

Supporting Research and Education: New Mexico Tech Unveils Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Grace Tackman
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Supporting Research and Education: New Mexico Tech Unveils Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology takes another step toward global innovation with the launch of a new initiative.

New Mexico Tech recently announced the establishment of the Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence. The new initiative will serve as the university’s central hub for AI integration. It will spearhead the advancement of AI across the curriculum, faculty and staff research, and campus-wide operations.

The AI Institute supports research and education with AI infrastructure, cultivates talent pipelines, and ignites partnerships to solve real-word problems.

New Mexico Tech revealed that distinguished alumnus Dr. Raul Deju made the Institute’s launch possible through his visionary support. Deju’s contributions provided the foundation for the Institute’s immediate and long-term sustainability as a leader in AI education and application.

“New Mexico Tech is a special place that propelled me to a successful entrepreneurial career, and I believe it is uniquely positioned to lead in this new technological era,” said Deju. “By investing in the AI Institute, we are providing the tools for the next generation of ‘Techies’ to drive global innovation. It is my privilege to help launch this endeavor and ensure our students remain the most competitive and inspired problem-solvers in the world.”

Leadership Team of the AI Institute

A multidisciplinary leadership team guides the AI Institute, overseeing strategic activities and facilitating AI technology integration throughout the institution. The team includes:

  • Michael Smith, Director of the Institute for Complex Additive Systems Analysis (ICASA),
  • Dr. Jun Zheng, Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering,
  • Dr. John Naliboff, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science.

“AI is a critical tool for analyzing complex systems,” said Smith. 

Smith said the Institute bridges the gap between theoretical AI and practical applications in national security and complex data analysis. It provides students with unparalleled hands-on experience.

For Zheng, the Institute offers students flexible opportunities to pursue degrees, minors, and certificates in AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

“We are excited to continue to expand our curricular offerings and prepare students for the workforce and fast-changing landscape of AI and other emerging fields, including quantum and cybersecurity,” Zheng said.

Additionally, Naliboff emphasized that the “combined AI-capabilities of the new Institute and HPC infrastructure will provide students hands-on opportunities to engage in areas of critical workforce and economic development, while aligning researchers across campus for emerging research frontiers and associated funding opportunities.” He oversees New Mexico Tech’s High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure.

The leadership team reports to Dr. Lique Coolen, Vice President of Research and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs. They ensure AI initiatives remain closely aligned with the university’s broader research and academic mission.  

The Institute will focus on building talent, boosting research, enhancing infrastructure, and securing partnerships.  

“The Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence represents a pivotal step in ensuring New Mexico Tech remains at the forefront of technological innovation,” said Coolen. 

Coolen said that integrating AI into the curriculum and research operations prepares students, staff, and faculty. It equips them to solve the complex challenges of the future.

Why The Initiative Matters

Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala stressed the strategic importance of this launch for the state, nation, and industry. He serves as a New Mexico Tech Regent and is a global authority on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI.

“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a peripheral technology; it is the cornerstone of our future global security and economic resilience,” said Dr. Mukkamala. “As an alumnus and Regent, I am thrilled to see New Mexico Tech take this bold step.” 

Mukkamala said that through the AI Institute, New Mexico Tech ensures its research remains at the cutting edge. He added that the Institute prepares graduates to lead with integrity and innovation in an AI-driven world.

Interim President Dr. Michael Jackson said the initiative marks a major collaborative milestone for faculty, research staff, administration, and alumni.

“Our comprehensive, robust strategy will embed AI into every facet of our mission, ensuring New Mexico Tech will be a leader in the AI revolution. I am excited to see our campus community advance this initiative—from educating the STEM workforce and tackling complex research challenges, to positively impacting the quality of life for all New Mexicans,” he said.

House Panel Advances Gun Control Bill After Marathon Hearing

Juan Oliveros
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House Panel Advances Gun Control Bill After Marathon Hearing

A House panel will send the gun control bill to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration after it narrowly approved the Democratic-backed measure on Wednesday.

The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee advanced Senate Bill 17 or the Stop Illegal Gun Act with a vote of 6–5.

Tightened sale or possession

SB 17 seeks to tighten regulations on firearm sales and classify certain weapons as dangerous to improve public safety. It would require licensed gun dealers to maintain inventory records and adopt additional security measures.

The measure would also restrict the sale or possession of gas-operated semiautomatic firearms, .50-caliber rifles, and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

Efforts to weaken the bill failed during the deliberations. Lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to remove provisions restricting certain firearms by a 5–6 vote. Another motion to table the bill also failed.

SB 17 now heads to the House Judiciary Committee. If cleared, the bill will move to the House plenary.

Gun control bill unconstitutional, ineffective

Republican lawmakers sharply criticized the bill. They said the measure is unconstitutional and ineffective.

In a statement the House Republicans called the bill “an outright assault on the Second Amendment and on the freedoms of responsible New Mexicans.”

“Instead of addressing the violent crime crisis plaguing our communities, Democrats are choosing to punish law-abiding citizens and small business owners. That is not public safety. That is political theater,” according to the statement quoted by Albuquerque Journal.

Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, one of the bill’s opponents, called it reckless and ineffective.

Lord said SB 17 subjected law abiding citizens and licensed firearm dealers to unreasonable burden. The bill, she said, “places crushing regulatory, surveillance, and reporting burdens on law-abiding, federally licensed firearm dealers and New Mexicans who legally purchase firearms to protect themselves and their families.”

The lawmaker presented the petition signed by 85,000 individuals calling for the “assault weapon ban” to be shut down.

A step to curb gun violence

Democrat lawmakers, however, asserted the measure is a step toward curbing gun violence in the state.

SB 17 represents practical steps to curb gun violence, Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Sta Fe, said. It will allow the state to hold retailers accountable to enforce existing laws, the lawmaker added.

The bill, according to the Democrat lawmaker, would ban the sale powerful firearms used in mass shootings.

Dozens of people attended the hearing to deliver their testimonies, including gun store owners, law enforcement officers, teachers, medical professionals, veterans, and gun violence survivors.

New Mexico Fines Sunland Park Water Utility $189K Over Arsenic Violations, Eyes Court Oversight

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Fines Sunland Park Water Utility $189K Over Arsenic Violations, Eyes Court Oversight

STA FE, New Mexico – The water utility in Sunland Park has agreed to pay a $189,000 fine in a settlement with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) over a string of water system violations. It will also face tougher oversight going forward.

State regulators had issued five Notices of Violation to Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) between 2020 and 2024. These violations include exceeding federal limits for arsenic under the Safe Drinking Water Act, failure to notify customers of unsafe pH levels, and the utility’s inability to correct deficiencies flagged in repeated sanitary surveys.

Water utility lacks accountability

NMED slapped the water utility with fine for “bad faith” enhancement, which the state regulator said reflects CRRUA’s repeated lack of accountability throughout the enforcement process.

The fine will go into NMED-administered Water Conservation Fund (WCF), which supports water quality testing and operator training for public water systems statewide.

The Environment Department, said Bruce Baizel, director for Compliance and Enforcement Division, has worked to “hold CRRUA accountable for repeatedly failing its duty to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the residents of Sunland Park.”

CRRUA has met water quality standards over the past 12 months. But it continues to face unresolved administrative and reporting violations that raised concerns about the long-term reliability of the system.

Corrective measures

“The settlement announced today is a significant first step.”

Baizel said NMED is pressing the court to appoint an independent manager to oversee CRRUA’s operations.

NMED also seeks additional corrective measures such as real-time arsenic monitoring, free distribution of arsenic test strips to customers, provision of alternative drinking water if arsenic levels exceed state limits, and the holding of monthly public meetings.

The water utility has been under heightened state scrutiny for years due to its failure to comply with regulations, particularly involving arsenic contamination.

CRRUA is the government-run water utility serving Sunland Park, a city at the border of Doña Ana County.

NMSU’s TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program Secures National Recertification, Valid Until 2029

Grace Tackman
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NMSU’s TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program Secures National Recertification, Valid Until 2029

New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program earned recertification from the College Reading and Learning Association. 

The program secured CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification for levels 1, 2 and 3. The certifications are official through December 2029, according to NMSU.

Trese Collins, coordinator of the TRIO Student Support Services Tutor Program, said the certification strengthens tutoring quality and impact. It ensures peer tutors are trained using nationally recognized standards.

“As a result, students receive consistent, high-quality academic support that encourages effective learning strategies, strengthens study skills and builds academic confidence,” said Collins.

TRIO SSS Peer Tutoring offers free academic support to all TRIO SSS participants. The program provides tutoring in person at Hardman Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 128, and online through Zoom. 

“Students who take part in CRLA certified tutoring gain a stronger understanding of course material, build critical thinking skills and often see improvements in their academic performance,” Collins said. 

Collins said TRIO SSS tutors are trained to support diverse learning styles, promote independent learning, and encourage student persistence. She emphasized that these strategies are important elements of student success and retention. 

She said this structured support helps increase engagement, confidence, and steady progress toward academic and personal goals for participants.

“Our certified tutoring not only strengthens the program’s credibility and supports TRIO’s mission, but it also plays a meaningful role in helping students stay on track, succeed and reach graduation,” Collins said. “Altogether, CRLA certified tutoring fosters a welcoming, supportive environment where students and tutors thrive, while celebrating and reinforcing a culture of learning, growth and academic success.”

About the TRIO SSS Tutoring Program

TRIO SSS is a unique program at NMSU funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education.It helps first generation students with financial needs and students with disabilities reach their full potential and achieve academic success.

The program provides opportunities for academic development and assists students with basic college requirements. It also motivates students to achieve successful completion of their post secondary education.

TRIO SSS aims to increase the participants’ college retention and graduation rates while helping students transition between higher education levels. 

The program offers:

  • Peer Mentoring
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Academic Support and Guidance
  • Advocacy and Personal Support
  • Assistance with Financial Aid
  • Graduate School Preparation
  • College Success Workshops
  • Equipment Loans (Calculators, iClickers, Digital Recorders, Translators)
  • Free Testing Supplies (Scantrons & Blue Books)
  • GRE Fee Reduction Waivers
  • Computer Lab & Study Areas

TRIO SSS serves 350 students who are first generation college students, low-income, and/or have a documented disability. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled full-time, degree-seeking at NMSU-Main Campus, and demonstrate academic need.

New Mexico HM59 (2026): CYFD to Study Foster Parent Pay

Victoria Padilla
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New Mexico HM59 (2026): CYFD to Study Foster Parent Pay

New Mexico lawmakers have introduced House Memorial 59 (HM59) for the 2026 regular session. The measure asks the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) to examine what a fair payment for foster parents would be, including whether payments should increase as prices rise.

Some news stories and bill trackers mention “more students in financial literacy classes” for HM59. However, LegiScan’s records show this topic was linked to an HM59 from 2016, not the 2026 HM59.

Key facts

  • What it does: The memorial asks CYFD to examine what fair pay for foster parents should be, including whether the cost of living should be factored in.
  • Where it is now: The bill was sent to the House Health & Human Services Committee (HHHC) and later got a “Do Pass” recommendation, according to LegiScan’s records.
  • Deadline: CYFD must share its findings and recommendations with the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee by Nov. 30, 2026.
  • What it isn’t: A memorial does not create enforceable law or include an appropriation, according to the Legislature’s fiscal summary.

What the memorial says in its own words

The introduced text presents the request as a response to the important role foster families play and the costs they may face. The memorial begins by “REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER PARENTS.”

Why it matters financially

The measure is not a spending bill, but it raises a common budget question: Do current payments cover what foster families have to pay, and how could changes, such as higher living costs, affect CYFD planning if lawmakers later consider changing laws or the budget?

The naming confusion: HM59 does not refer to a single topic

LegiScan’s historical list shows that the same bill number (HM59) can refer to different memorials in different sessions. For example, a 2016 HM59 was titled “More Students In Financial Literacy Classes,” while the 2026 HM59 focuses on foster parent compensation.

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