SENATE MEMORIAL 146

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

INTRODUCED BY

Ron Griggs and Craig W. Brandt

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO STUDY THE COSTS OF PREPARING AND IMPLEMENTING MEMORIALS.

     WHEREAS, decades ago, the introduction of memorials was a rare occurrence, carrying much significance and memorializing prestigious members of New Mexico communities; and

     WHEREAS, over the past twenty years, the number of memorials introduced has dramatically increased; and

     WHEREAS, in 1997, just fifteen senate memorials were introduced; and

     WHEREAS, in 2017, with several days remaining in the regular session, more than one hundred fifty-five senate memorials have been introduced; and

     WHEREAS, every day of a session, hours are spent discussing and debating memorials that have no legal effect while pressing legislative issues go unaddressed; and

     WHEREAS, many state resources, including time, money and personnel, are expended in preparing, printing, introducing, discussing and debating memorials in committee and on the floor and, if they pass, which it seems nearly all of them do, implementing the requested action; and

     WHEREAS, while many introduced memorials suggest implementation of a worthy study, a solution to a pressing problem or the designation of a day worth recognizing, the full costs to taxpayers of preparing and implementing memorials are not known;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to study the total cost to the state of the prolific practice of preparing and implementing memorials; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study assess the time, money, personnel and other resources expended each year to prepare and implement memorials; and

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

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