SENATE RESOLUTION 1

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE AND PROCESS STUDY TASK FORCE

A RESOLUTION

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE REFORM; AMENDING THE SENATE RULES TO PROVIDE THAT PREFILED LEGISLATION MAY BE THE SUBJECT OF A COMMITTEE HEARING PRIOR TO OTHER LEGISLATION, TO PROHIBIT COMMITTEES FROM REPORTING LEGISLATION "WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION", TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO COSPONSOR LEGISLATION BY FILING A WRITTEN NOTICE, TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF BILLS AND MEMORIALS THAT MAY BE INTRODUCED, TO LIMIT THE TIME TO INTRODUCE MEMORIALS AND TO ALLOW GUESTS ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS PRIOR TO THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF A SESSION.

     WHEREAS, the rules of the senate may be amended by a two-thirds' vote of all the members of the senate or by a majority vote of the members of the senate upon the recommendation of the rules committee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that a new Senate Rule 9-11 be adopted to read:

"9-11     If requested by the prime senate sponsor, committee chairs shall schedule each senate bill, resolution and memorial that is prefiled pursuant to Senate Rule 11-12-1 to be heard prior to other legislation."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Senate Rule 9-12 be adopted to read:

"9-12     A committee shall not report a bill, resolution or           memorial "without recommendation".; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senate Rule 11-9-1 be amended to read:

"11-9-1   Every bill, resolution or memorial introduced in the senate by a senator shall be endorsed by the senator sponsoring the bill, resolution or memorial and by each senator cosponsoring the bill, resolution or memorial. A senator may also cosponsor a bill, resolution or memorial by filing a written notice in open session with the clerk of the senate prior to third reading in the senate."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Senate Rule 11-9-3 be adopted to read:

"11-9-3   Each senator may introduce no more than five bills and two memorials during a session convened in an even-numbered year, and no more than ten bills and two memorials during a session convened in an odd-numbered year; provided that this limitation shall not apply to bills that are prefiled; or bills or memorials that are endorsed by a legislative interim committee."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a new Senate Rule 11-9-4 be adopted to read:

"11-9-4   No memorial shall be introduced subsequent to the twenty-second day in a session convened in an even-numbered year or subsequent to the thirty-second day in a session convened in an odd-numbered year."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senate Rule 23-2 be amended to read:

"23-2     Admission to the floor, rostrum, lounges and hallways shall be as follows:

(a) only persons who are members of the legislature or officers and employees of the legislature having official duties directly connected with the business of the senate, the governor and representatives of [his] the governor's office on official business and carrying written accreditation from the governor shall be admitted to the floor of the senate during any session or during any recess during any session;

(b) former members of the legislature, provided they carry written accreditation of status from the chief clerk, and special guests of the senate shall, with the president's or president pro tempore's consent, be seated on the rostrum; and

(c) special guests of the senate may be invited to perform for the senate prior to the final fourteen days of a session."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senate Rule 23-5 be amended to read:

"23-5     The members of the senate and the presiding officer, including the lieutenant governor, shall not make any introduction of guests, with the exception of officials, during the last fourteen days of any session. However, at any time during a session, the names of guests or organizations welcomed by the senate may be posted in an appropriate manner on an electronic display in the chamber."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments to the senate rules proposed by this resolution take effect immediately prior to adjournment of the second session of the forty-eighth legislature.

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