Days remaining in session: 5

Young poll workers: Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can't vote, but they could serve as poll workers under legislation approved by the House on Friday.

Allowing some students to serve on precinct boards could help eliminate a shortage of poll workers in some counties, said House Bill 335's sponsor, Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces. "We have an aging population of poll workers," said Steinborn.

County clerks appoint members of precinct boards.

No more than two students could work on a precinct board, and they could not serve as a presiding judge at a polling location. Students likely would help people sign in at polling places, Steinborn said.

The bill passed the House on a 45-20 vote and was sent to the Senate for consideration.

Opponents said it's possible students could be subject to verbal abuse or intimidation from would-be voters who become upset because of polling place problems.

Steinborn disagreed. "We're always talking about how young people are not involved in politics. This is a learning laboratory where they can get involved," he said.

Got funds?: The Senate Education Committee on Friday gave a do-pass recommendation to HB 241, a new school funding formula, one day after the House voted overwhelmingly in favor of it. The formula calls for $332 million in additional funding for schools, though officials still aren't sure where the money will come from. Rep. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, is the bill's sponsor.

Arts school moves closer: A statewide charter school for the arts is one step closer to becoming a reality after the House Education Committee gave a do-pass recommendation to Senate Bill 34, the New Mexico School for the Arts Act. The school will serve high school students across the state interested in various performing and visual arts. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Nava, D-Las Cruces, moves to the House floor.

Anti-depressants study: The Senate has approved a measure calling for a study of the possible link between antidepressant use and suicidal thoughts or behavior.

The proposal, Senate Memorial 9, sponsored by Sen. Joe Carraro, R-Albuquerque, calls for a task force to look at how much medical expertise should be needed to prescribe antidepressant medication. The measure goes to the House for consideration.

Wild horses: The State Parks Division will be looking into building a wild horse park near Placitas under Senate Joint Memorial 16, sponsored by Sen. Steve Komadina, R-Corrales, which the Senate approved Friday. The agency is expected to report to the Legislature by September on whether a park, where horses could be observed and studied, is feasible. The House will now consider the measure.

Looking ahead: The Senate Judiciary Committee at 9:30 today is expected to take up HB 9, which would give domestic partners the same rights as married couples. The full Senate is also expected to start work at 9 a.m., and the House will begin at 11 a.m. Visit www.legis.state.nm.us for an updated weekend schedule.

• State Sens. Dede Feldman, D-Albuquerque, and John Ryan, R-Albuquerque, will discuss health care reform, stem cell research, the budget and more on television this weekend on Report from Santa Fe, hosted by Lorene Mills. The program can be seen 6 a.m. Sunday on Channel 5, KNME-TV.

Quote of the day: "Madame president, I just want to know when we'll get to that order of business, messages to the governor. We have messages from the governor and from the House, but when do we get to send him a message?" ~ Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson, R-Las Cruces.

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Follow legislative coverage on the Web at www.santafenewmexican.com/legislature/ with updates throughout the day, reader comments, a resource guide with essential links, and blogs by Kate Nash and Steve Terrell.