HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 7

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Daymon Ely and Daniel A. Ivey-Soto

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4, SECTION 11 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ALLOW AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY TO INVESTIGATE THE CONDUCT OF AND RECOMMEND DISCIPLINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. Each house may determine the rules of its procedure, punish its members or others for contempt or disorderly behavior in its presence and protect its members against violence; and may, with the concurrence of two-thirds of its members, expel a member, but not a second time for the same act. Punishment for contempt or disorderly behavior or by expulsion shall not be a bar to criminal prosecution.

          B. The legislature may provide by resolution for an independent entity to investigate the conduct of a member and to recommend discipline of a member to the member's house."

     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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