No more free meals? House approves bill restricting certain lobbyist spending

SANTA FE — In a surprise twist, a bill expanding lobbyist reporting requirements at the Roundhouse was broadened Tuesday before passing the state House.

The approved change to the bill would also prohibit lobbyists from spending large amounts on food, beverages or entertainment for state-elected officials — including lawmakers — during and just before legislative sessions.

House Minority Whip Alan Martinez, R-Bernalillo, said the change would mean no more free meals in Santa Fe for lawmakers, which is a common occurrence during sessions.

“It would require us to pay our own way,” he said during Tuesday’s debate.

But other GOP-backed amendments, such as new restrictions on political contributions by nonprofit employees, were voted down by majority Democrats.

Rep. Sarah Silva, D-Las Cruces, the sponsor of the initial lobbyist disclosure bill, House Bill 143, said the measure is intended to provide more public information about lobbyists’ activities at the Capitol.

Specifically, it would require lobbyists to disclose which bills they worked on during legislative sessions — and their stance on those bills.

“Really what we want to have is a full picture of the lifespan of a bill,” Silva said.

But the first-term lawmaker appeared skeptical about some of the proposed bill amendments, saying she had not previously seen Republican support for transparency measures.

That prompted a sharp response from Martinez, who said he was personally offended by the remark.

After three hours of debate, the revised bill passed the House on a 36-26 vote.

Most Democrats voted in favor, though four cast “no” votes, while all but one Republican voted against the legislation.

That lone Republican, Rep. Luis Terrazas of Silver City, tried unsuccessfully to extend lobbyist reporting requirements to advocates who pay or otherwise compensate others to testify for or against bills at the Roundhouse.

”If we’re going to open the curtain, let’s pull open the whole curtain,” Terrazas said.

Spending by registered New Mexico lobbyists has increased in recent years, even as the state has ranked toward the bottom in national rankings of state-by-state lobbyist disclosure laws.

During a three-month period last year that encompassed the 30-day legislative session, lobbyists spent $293,608 on meals, beverages, advertising, emails, gifts, awards, and supplies for legislators and their staff, according to the State Ethics Commission.

However, previous attempts to require more lobbyist disclosure have stalled at the Roundhouse.

Amelia Bierle, the State Ethics Commission’s deputy director, said Tuesday the agency was still reviewing the amendment adopted by the House.

But she said the agency was in general “always supportive of more transparency in the legislative process.”

Currently, New Mexico’s more than 600 registered lobbyists must report spending that exceeds $500 during the session. Other reports are due periodically throughout the year.

If approved, the proposed legislation would take effect in 2027. It now advances to the Senate with just over two weeks left in this year’s 60-day session.