HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 8

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO BY ALLOWING FOR PROVISION OF LEGISLATIVE SALARIES AND CREATING A CITIZEN COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE SALARIES TO ESTABLISH, ADJUST AND LIMIT THE SALARIES OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

          "A. The "citizen commission on legislative salaries" is established as an independent state agency for the purpose of establishing, adjusting and limiting the salaries of members of the legislature.

          B. The citizen commission on legislative salaries is composed of nine members of the public who broadly reflect the political, cultural and geographic diversity of the state and whose appointments, terms and qualification shall be as provided by law.

          C. The citizen commission on legislative salaries shall consider salaries for the members of the legislature and adopt a final report on its determination to establish, adjust or limit those salaries and shall file that report with the secretary of state no later than January 1, 2026 and at least every four years thereafter. An affirmative vote of not less than five members of the commission is required for adoption of the commission's final report. The salaries established, adjusted or limited as provided by the final report of the commission shall become effective on the first full pay period in July immediately following the adoption of the report.

          D. The legislature shall appropriate sufficient funding in an appropriations bill for the salaries established, adjusted or limited as provided by a final report of the commission.

          E. A member of the citizen commission on legislative salaries shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in pursuit of that member's duties as provided by law."

     SECTION 2. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 10 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

     "Each member of the legislature shall receive:

          A. per diem at the internal revenue service per diem rate for the city of Santa Fe for each day's attendance during each session of the legislature and the internal revenue service standard mileage rate for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of government by the usual traveled route, once each session as defined by Article 4, Section 5 of this constitution;

          B. per diem expense and mileage at the same rates as provided in Subsection A of this section for service at meetings required by legislative committees established by the legislature to meet in the interim between sessions; [and]

          C. a salary established by the citizen commission on legislative salaries; and

          [C.] D. no other compensation, perquisite or allowance."

     SECTION 3. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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