Days remaining in session: 33

Palm-prints bill clears Senate: On a vote of 27-10, the New Mexico State Senate on Monday passed Senate Bill 102, which would require those arrested to have their palm-print impressions taken in addition to being fingerprinted when they are booked into jail. The record of the digital palm prints, along with the fingerprints, would remain on file along with the booking sheet and would be used to help solve crimes, a news release said.

"Everyone seems to be fascinated with Criminal Scene Investigations (CSI) that use the latest and greatest to solve crimes," said Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, the sponsor of the legislation. "Let's use more of it to solve crimes in New Mexico."

The legislation now goes to the House for consideration.

House committee passes teacher loans bill: Legislation that would authorize the state to repay education loans for teachers who work in high-risk schools cleared the House Education Committee by a vote of 9-0 on Monday.

House Bill 241, sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque, would repay the principal and reasonable interest on teacher education loans from the federal government or the private sector. To qualify for the program, teachers would have to agree to work a minimum of two years in a high-risk teaching area where there are high poverty rates and where academic standards are going unmet.

"This legislation provides an excellent opportunity to attract exemplary teachers to our schools that are in need of the most help," Stapleton said in the news release. "It's an incentive for teachers to challenge themselves and prove to society that students in high-risk schools can excel."

According to an analysis by the Higher Education Department, loan-repayment programs serve as a cost-effective tool to meet work-force needs and attract quality professionals to the state, the news release said.

The legislation now goes to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

Marriage Commission proposed: Rep. Nora Espinoza, R-Roswell, has a bill to create a "New Mexico Marriage Commission."

The goals of House Bill 474 would be to reduce teen pregnancy, encourage engaged fatherhood and reduce the rate of "unnecessary" divorces in New Mexico, a news release said.

The legislation would create a commission made up of unpaid volunteers to explore ways governments can partner with private organizations to strengthen marriage, according to the news release. "If we can have a positive influence on families in New Mexico, we will find not only better communities, but also less strain on state services," Espinoza said.

Looking ahead: Today is Adult Education and Literacy Day at the Legislature.

• There will be a 1:30 p.m. news conference to celebrate 100 Years of Girl Scouting Day at the west hall of history, near the Rotunda.

• The Pink Adobe will be the scene of an invitation-only Motion Picture Association of New Mexico legislative reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• The Bull Ring will host the invitation-only New Mexico Association of Community Colleges legislative dinner at 6 p.m., while Rio Chama Steakhouse is the venue for the invitation-only Quay Day 2011 legislative dinner from 7 to 9 p.m.

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