HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 11

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Cathrynn N. Brown

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ALLOW INTERIM COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS BY REAL-TIME VIDEOCONFERENCE WHEN PRACTICABLE.

     WHEREAS, the legislature's work is increasingly complex and cannot be contained within the confines of sixty- and thirty-day sessions each January through March; and

     WHEREAS, to help close the potential knowledge gap presented by a part-time, citizen legislature, the legislature relies on interim committees to provide both education and thoughtful policy development on a range of topics; and

     WHEREAS, it is difficult for many citizen legislators to take time off from work or rearrange their schedules to attend interim committee meetings as often as they would like; and

     WHEREAS, the travel time to and from interim committee meetings increases the burden on citizen legislators; and

     WHEREAS, advancements in technology have reached the point that members could participate in meetings remotely; and

     WHEREAS, several other state legislatures have developed audioconferencing and videoconferencing capabilities for their members;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to allow interim committee members to participate in meetings by real-time videoconference when meetings are held at the state capitol or other locations at which acceptable videoconferencing capability is readily available; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to prohibit members who participate in a meeting by videoconference from receiving per diem and mileage for participating in that meeting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico legislative council.

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