46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003
PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO LIMIT REGULAR SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE TO FORTY-FIVE DAYS, TO PROVIDE FOR BIENNIAL BUDGETS AND TO LIMIT THE SUBJECT MATTER THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED IN REGULAR SESSIONS HELD IN ODD-NUMBERED YEARS.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 5 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:
"A. Each regular session of the legislature shall
begin annually at 12:00 noon on the third Tuesday of January
[Every regular session of the legislature convening during an
odd-numbered year shall remain in session not to exceed sixty
days, and every regular session of the legislature convening
during an even-numbered year shall remain in session not to
exceed thirty days] and shall remain in session not to exceed
forty-five days. No special session of the legislature shall
exceed thirty days.
B. Every regular session of the legislature convening during an even-numbered year shall consider only the following:
(1) general appropriations bills containing such appropriations as are necessary under existing laws for the succeeding two fiscal years;
(2) [budgets] other appropriations and revenue
bills;
[(2)] (3) bills drawn pursuant to special
messages of the governor; and
[(3)] (4) bills of the last previous regular
session vetoed by the governor.
C. Every regular session of the legislature convening during an odd-numbered year shall consider only the following:
(1) bills drawn pursuant to special messages of the governor and containing such appropriations as are required under existing law and needed to supplement those appropriations contained in the most recently enacted general appropriations bill; and
(2) any other matter except appropriations required under existing law."
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.