April 5, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 71

The Honorable Richard Romero and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 551, as amended, without emergency clause, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the private and public sectors often saves money and time. Resolving disputes among government agencies, with their myriad of programs, rules, contracts and operations, through ADR helps agencies deliver the best services at the lowest cost.

That is why I signed Senate Bill 262, the Government Dispute Resolution Act, last year along with an Executive Order supporting voluntary ADR throughout state government. This legislation mandates ADR, establishes an office of ADR and creates and ADR advisory council. Such requirements in law are highly objectionable. While vetoing this legislation, I remain a strong supporter of voluntary ADR and will take appropriate administrative steps to further effectuate New Mexico’s current ADR law along with my ADR executive order.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________

Secretary of State

Date ______________________

Time:______________________

Date_______________________ By:_____________________________

Chief Clerk of the Senate

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