SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Craig W. Brandt and Pat Boone

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO LIMIT STATE LEGISLATORS TO NO MORE THAN TWELVE YEARS OF ELECTED SERVICE AS A LEGISLATOR, TO ADD A NEW SECTION TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT CITIZEN COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH, ADJUST AND LIMIT THE SALARIES OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND TO AMEND SECTION 10 TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF A SALARY TO LEGISLATORS.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 4 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. Members of the [legislature] senate shall be elected [as follows: those senators from Bernalillo, Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Grant, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Sandoval, San Juan, San Miguel, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union and Valencia counties for a term of six years starting January 1, 1961, and after serving such terms shall be elected] for a term of four years, [thereafter; those senators from all other counties for the terms of four years] and members of the house of representatives shall be elected for a term of two years. [They]

          B. Members of the legislature shall be elected on the day provided by law for holding the general election of state officers or representatives in congress. If a vacancy occurs in the office of senator or member of the house of representatives, for any reason, the county commissioners of the county wherein the vacancy occurs shall fill such vacancy by appointment. Such legislative appointments as provided in this section shall be for a term ending on December 31, subsequent to the next succeeding general election.

          C. A person who has served as a member of the legislature for a total of twelve years shall not be eligible for further election or appointment to the senate or the house of representatives, and a person shall not be eligible for election or appointment to the senate or the house of representatives if the term of that office would result in the person's total years of service in the legislature exceeding twelve years."

     SECTION 2. It is proposed to amend Article 4 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new Section 43 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 public members, not more than four of whom shall belong to the same political party at the time of appointment, and whose appointments, terms and qualifications shall be provided by law.

          C. The citizen commission on legislative salaries shall research, review and consider the establishment of salaries for members of the legislature, adopt a final report on its determination to establish, adjust or limit those salaries and file that report with the secretary of state on or before October 1, 2029 and every four years thereafter.

          D. The salaries established, adjusted or limited as adopted in the final report of the commission shall become effective on the first full state employee pay period in July following the filing of the report with the secretary of state beginning July 1, 2030.

          E. An affirmative vote of at least five members of the citizen commission on legislative salaries is required for adoption of a report of the commission establishing, adjusting or limiting salaries for members of the legislature.

          F. A member of the citizen commission on legislative salaries shall serve without compensation, but is entitled to receive per diem and mileage as provided by law for nonsalaried public officials."

     SECTION 3. 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 set by the federal general services administration or successor agency for federal employees and officials 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, adjusted or limited pursuant to Section 43 of this article; and

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

     SECTION 4. 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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