HOUSE RESOLUTION 1

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Andrea Romero

 

 

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION

AMENDING THE HOUSE RULES REGARDING STANDING COMMITTEES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE.

 

     WHEREAS, House Rule 24-1 provides that the rules of the house of representatives may be amended by a two-thirds' vote of all the members of the house or by a majority vote of the members of the house upon the recommendation of the house rules and order of business committee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the following new House Rule 7-1-1, effective only for the second regular session of the fifty-fifth legislature and immediately upon adoption, be enacted to read:

"7-1-1    In any standing committee, a member shall be considered to be present and in attendance for the purposes of establishing a quorum, doing business or voting only if the member is participating by simultaneous, remote, electronic or telephonic means as confirmed by the chair or presiding officer."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following house rules, effective only for the second regular session of the fifty-fifth legislature and immediately upon adoption, be amended to read:

"7-1      Every member of the house shall be present on the floor of the house, unless prevented by sickness or excused by the speaker in writing. The excuse shall be filed with the chief clerk. A member may also be permitted to maintain that member's presence in the house chamber, subject to approval by the speaker, by simultaneous, remote, electronic or telephonic means if that member:

(a) has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019;

(b) is under a mandatory quarantine or self-isolation order as outlined by the federal centers for disease control and prevention;

(c) is identified as a high-risk individual as defined by the federal centers for disease control and prevention;

(d) resides with an individual who is identified as a high-risk individual as defined by the federal centers for disease control and prevention; or

(e) resides with an individual who is not eligible for vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019."; and

"7-3      If at any time during the session of the house a question is raised by any member as to the presence of a quorum, the speaker shall forthwith direct a roll call and shall announce the result, and such proceedings shall not be interrupted by any other member raising the question of a lack of quorum. The question as to the presence of a quorum shall not be raised more often than once every hour, unless the lack of a quorum is disclosed upon a roll call of yeas and nays. Whenever, upon a roll call, any member who is [upon the floor of the house] present refuses to respond or vote, it is the duty of the speaker, either upon [his] the speaker's own motion or upon the suggestion of any member, to request that member to respond or vote. If the member fails to respond or vote when so requested, the fact of such request and refusal shall be entered in the journal and such member shall not be counted as present for the purpose of constituting a quorum."; and

"7-19     Members, staff and guests shall wear face masks or respirators, as recommended by the federal centers for disease control and prevention, covering the mouth and nose. Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of these rules and is subject to investigation by the house rules and order of business committee, pursuant to House Rules 9-13-1 through 9-13-7 or, disciplinary action for staff or removal from the capitol for guests."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following house rule, effective immediately upon adoption, be amended to read:

"9-2      The following shall be the standing committees of the house:

                     (Substantive)

(a) agriculture, acequias and water resources;

(b) appropriations and finance;

(c) commerce and economic development;

(d) consumer and public affairs;

(e) education;

(f) energy, environment and natural resources;

(g) government, elections and Indian affairs;

[(g)] (h) health and human services;

[(h)] (i) judiciary;

[(i)] (j) labor, veterans' and military affairs;

[(j) local government, land grants and cultural affairs;

(k) state government, elections and Indian affairs;] (k) rural development, land grants and cultural affairs;

(l) taxation and revenue;

(m) transportation, public works and capital improvements;

                     (Procedural)

(n) enrolling and engrossing;

(o) printing and supplies; and

(p) rules and order of business.".

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