NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

See Fiscal Implications section of this report.

Conflicts with House Joint Resolutions 14, 21 and 28

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Attorney General

Secretary of State

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Resolution 30 amends Article 4, Section 4 of the Constitution of New Mexico to stagger the terms of senators beginning in January 2005 (2004 general election). One-half of the senators, divided by lot in a manner determined by the Senate, would serve a two-year term beginning in 2005 and a four-year term thereafter and the other one-half of the senators would continue to serve four-year terms.

Significant Issues

Currently, no members in the Legislature serve staggered terms.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

If passed, this question would appear on the ballot in the November 2002 general election. The Secretary of State reports it costs $30.0 to place an item on the ballot. Included in the cost is: (1) the publishing of constitutional amendments in English and Spanish for four consecutive weeks in one newspaper in each county of the state; (2) the oral translation and radio broadcast into the Native American languages of Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Keres, Zuni, Mescalero Apache, Jicarilla Apache and Navajo; and (3) the printing of amendments booklets in English and Spanish (including Spanish language translation cost) and distribution to all county clerks (100,000 booklets were printed for 2000 general election). Therefore, there would be a nonrecurring cost to the general fund of $30.0 in FY03. This legislation does not include the appropriation necessary to fund these costs

CONFLICT

House Joint Resolution 14 proposes to increase terms of members of the House of Representatives to four years and of members of the Senate to six years. The legislation also proposes staggered terms for state legislators, so that ½½ of the House members and of the Senate members are elected to office at each general election. Those staggered terms shall be provided by the Legislature in law.

House Joint Memorial 21 proposes to limit the terms of senators to four (16 years total) and of representatives to eight (16 years total). This provision would exclude terms served prior to January 2003 or appointment to a vacant office.

House Joint Memorial 28 proposes to limit the terms of senators to three (12 years total) and of representatives to six (12 years total). This provision would exclude terms served prior to January 2003 or appointment to a vacant office.

DKB/njw