HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 16

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Angelica Rubio

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND STUDY THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the legislative power is vested by Article 4 of the constitution of New Mexico in a senate and house of representatives, designated as the legislature of the state of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the house of representatives is composed of seventy members, and the senate is composed of forty-two members; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature is responsible for crafting and shaping the laws impacting the New Mexicans it serves; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature is a coequal branch of government, essential to an effective system of checks and balances with the executive and judicial branches of government; and

     WHEREAS, while the legislature is constantly seeking ways to improve policies that affect all aspects of state government, it must also continue to seek possible improvements to help it conduct its work and perform its duties more effectively; and

     WHEREAS, in 2002, the New Mexico legislative council conducted a study of the roles, responsibilities, functions, structure and organization of the legislative committee process; and

     WHEREAS, in 2007, the legislative structure and process study task force was formed to develop recommendations to more effectively perform the policymaking and oversight duties of the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, it is important to build upon the work resulting from these previous studies and to consider new proposals to innovate the legislative process;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to convene a task force to review and study the legislative process in New Mexico; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint members from the house of representatives and the senate and public members to the task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to include in its study consideration of the length of legislative sessions, compensation of legislative members, investigation of ethics complaints, legislative efficiency and other topics affecting the work of the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to issue a report of its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the director of the legislative council service.

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