44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO STUDY WAYS TO ELIMINATE COSTLY AND WASTEFUL DUPLICATION OF INTRODUCED BILLS.

WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes that it is possible, even likely, that several legislators will have the same idea and want to introduce legislation on the same topic; and

WHEREAS, that does not account for the excessively high number of duplicate bills introduced this year; and

WHEREAS, in 1989, in an effort to control duplicate bills, the house of representatives and the senate repealed their rules that allowed for substitution of identical bills; and

WHEREAS, the repeal did help control the number of introduced duplicate bills for a few years, but the number of intentionally duplicative bills has increased at an alarming rate over the last several years; and

WHEREAS, many duplicates are interim committee bills; and

WHEREAS, without the rule allowing for substitution, duplicate introductions make little sense and are costly and wasteful; and

WHEREAS, if duplicate introductions are done so that members of each house may be shown as sponsors of the legislation, there may be more efficient ways to accomplish that purpose;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council study ways to eliminate the costly and wasteful practice of duplicate introductions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include alternative means to show sponsorship; and

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