HOUSE BILL 546

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Stephanie Maez

AN ACT

RELATING TO SPECIAL ELECTIONS; PROHIBITING NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES FROM PAYING FOR OR REIMBURSING A GOVERNMENT AGENCY FOR THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDUCTING A SPECIAL ELECTION.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of Chapter 1, Article 24 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SPECIAL ELECTION PROCEDURES--COSTS OF ELECTION--PROHIBITION ON NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.--

          A. The costs of conducting a special election shall be paid for by the state, local government or special district calling for the election.

          B. No individual, corporation, person, political action committee or other nongovernmental entity shall pay for or reimburse the state, a local government or a special district for the costs associated with conducting a special election.

          C. Upon a finding of a violation of this section, the district court shall nullify the votes cast in the special election and shall void the result of the special election."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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