SENATE RESOLUTION 3

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

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

A RESOLUTION

AMENDING THE SENATE RULES TO AUTHORIZE LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING OF SENATE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS.

     WHEREAS, the rules of the senate may be amended by a two-thirds' vote of all the members of the senate or by a majority vote of the members of the senate upon the recommendation of the rules committee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that a new Senate Rule 23-8-1 be adopted to read:

"23-8-1   The legislative council service, in cooperation with the chief clerk, is authorized to produce a live audio and video stream of the senate floor proceedings that is accessible through the legislature's web site in a manner befitting the senate, including an appropriate user interface, subject to the following:

(a) the live stream shall begin as soon as practicable after the president 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;

(b) 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 (d) of this rule;

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

(d) during any order of business when the debate is substantial, the live video image shall be as if the senate were on third reading of legislation;

(e) at no time shall the live video image be of the gallery or of any material on a member's desk, computer monitor or similar device such that the material can be read or viewed;

(f) the live stream shall not be archived;

(g) the provisions of this rule shall apply when the senate is meeting in the committee of the whole as if the senate were on the order of business third reading of legislation; provided that the live video image shall be of any witnesses addressing the committee of the whole as appropriate; and

(h) the stream shall carry a notice to the effect that the stream is being produced for the benefit of the public and any political use is prohibited and that the stream is not an official record of the senate's proceedings.".

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