Legislative roundup: Session length, legislator salary and veto changes advance committee

SANTA FE — On Friday, state representatives turned their focus inward with several resolutions focused on the Legislature itself. Here’s the latest from the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee.

Two bills to lengthen legislative session advance

Democrats and Republicans alike in the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee agree on one point: the 30-day session needs to be longer. But how much longer was the question at a Friday committee meeting — two weeks into the 30-day session — when two resolutions to extend the session came up for votes.

Per the New Mexico Constitution, the legislative sessions alternate in length. In odd-numbered years, sessions last 60 days; in even years, the budget-focused session is what Rep. Jason Harper, R-Rio Rancho, called a “lightning fast” 30 days.

One proposal by Rep. Natalie Figueroa, D-Albuquerque, would make every year a 60-day session. Another, cosponsored by Reps. Matthew McQueen, D-Santa Fe; Greg Nibert, R-Roswell, Harper; Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque; and Bill Tallman, D-Albuquerque, wanted to split the difference, making each session 45 days.

McQueen said he would prefer all 60-day sessions, but said the 45-day compromise is “still an improvement.”

“Two 45-day sessions is better than the current 60-30 system we have,” McQueen said. “It’s not working.”

There are several major similarities between the two proposals.

In the 30-day sessions, bills can only be heard if they cover certain subjects or receive special messages from the Governor’s Office. Both proposals would strike these restrictions, allowing bills of all subjects to be considered in each, longer session. They also would allow the Legislature to override vetoes from the governor of bills proposed during special or extraordinary sessions.

Ultimately, both advanced through the committee. Figueroa’s version passed on a 5-3 vote, with the committee’s three Republicans, Reps. Martin Zamora, R-Cloviz; John Block, R-Alamogordo; and Bill Rehm, R-Albuquerque opposed; the other passed on a 6-2 vote, with Figueroa and Gail Chasey, D-Santa Fe, in opposition.

Extending the session requires a constitutional amendment. That means the measure would head to voters this November.

Pay for legislators

New Mexico is the only state in the nation that doesn’t pay its legislators. That’s a problem, say some state representatives and advocates.

“We’re leaving a lot of people out of representing their own communities,” said Rep. Angelica Rubio, D-Las Cruces.

Rubio is sponsoring a resolution to remove a constitutional prohibition of pay for state legislators and to create an independent commission to decide an appropriate salary for the part-time legislature.

The resolution would not automatically create a salary for state legislators. First, a proposed constitutional amendment to create the commission would head to voters in November. In January 2025, the Legislature would have to take up the issue again and draft “enabling” legislation to actually create that commission.

After the citizen commission decides on a number, that salary would be reviewed every four years.

Rep. Charlotte Little, D-Albuquerque, described the difficulties balancing her full-time job and the Legislature.

“As a full-time employee, my heart was there,” Little said.

But ultimately, family responsibilities and “extenuating circumstances” led Little to give up her other job.

“Something had to give,” Little said.

The citizen commission would be made up of nine members, with no more than five people front the same party. Proponents of the measure say it could increase diversity and “modernize” the Legislature.

But other House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee members were hesitant to vote on their own salaries.

Rehm brought up the “generous” retirement offered to state legislators.

A legislator who serves at least 10 years can retire at any age, and can be eligible for a yearly benefit totaling $17,640, according to the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico. State legislators are also offered a per diem to cover travel and other expenses. In summer 2023, the payment was $210 per day.

“I think that compensates us for our work here,” Rehm said.

Zamora said he is reluctant to put the question to voters without a salary number determined beforehand. Rehm, Zamora and Block voted against, but the measure passed the committee 5-3.

Kill pocket veto?

House representatives in the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee want an explanation when their legislation is vetoed.

On March 6, any legislation passed during the session, but not acted upon by the governor, will be automatically pocket-vetoed. But on Friday, the committee voted 6-0 to advance legislation that would require an explanation for any vetoes.

Currently, the New Mexico Constitution provides that unless the bill is approved and signed by the governor, it will not go into law. This bill changes that language, so any bill not vetoed by the governor will become law. Like the other resolutions advanced Friday, this constitutional amendment requires voter approval this November to take effect.