SENATE BILL 401

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE; PROVIDING FOR LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 2, Article 3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING OF LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.--

          A. The legislative council service shall ensure that a live audio and video stream of any senate floor proceeding is available on the internet from a link on the legislature's web site subject to the following:

                (1) the live stream shall begin as soon as practicable after the presiding officer has announced that a quorum is present and shall terminate as soon as practicable after a motion to recess or adjourn has carried, or upon the order of the presiding officer;

                (2) during the prayer, reading of the journal, introduction of legislation, reports of committees, introduction of guests, messages from the governor, the house of representatives or other state officer and announcements and miscellaneous business, the live video image shall be of the entire chamber or the rostrum from the perspective of the rear of the chamber, except as provided in Paragraph (4) of this subsection; 

                (3) during the third reading of legislation, the live video image shall be of the legislator who has been recognized and is speaking, except when, in the judgment of the legislative council service, a legislator will be speaking for such a short period of time that the live video image should instead be of the legislator who previously spoke or of the entire chamber from the perspective of the rear of the chamber;

                (4) during any order of business when, in the judgment of the legislative council service, the debate is substantial, the live video image shall be as if the senate were on the third reading of legislation;

                (5) at no time shall the live video image be of the gallery; and

                (6) the provisions of this rule shall apply when the senate is meeting in a committee of the whole and when any senate committee is meeting on the floor of the senate as if the senate were on the third reading of legislation; provided that the live video image shall be of any witness addressing the committee as appropriate.

          B. The director of the legislative council service and the chief clerk of the senate shall cooperate to ensure that the live audio and video stream is provided from the appropriation made annually for the expenses of the legislature, including appropriations in Laws 2009, Chapter 1."

     Section 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION--IMPLEMENTATION.--The first live audio and video stream shall be available within one week of the effective date of this act.

     Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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