HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 04

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Patricia A. Lundstrom

FOR THE INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4, SECTION 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO INCREASE TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE SENATE TO SIX YEARS AND TO INCREASE TERMS OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE TO FOUR YEARS.

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:

     "Beginning with legislative terms commencing January 1, 2008, members of the legislature 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] senators for a term of [four] six years, and members of the house of representatives for a term of [two] four years. [They] 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."

     Section 2. 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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