SENATE BILL 2

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

AN ACT

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS; REQUIRING CONFERENCE COMMITTEES TO BE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

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

     Section 1. Section 10-15-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974, Chapter 91, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "10-15-2. STATE LEGISLATURE--MEETINGS.--

          A. All meetings of a quorum of members of any committee or policymaking body of the [state] legislature held for the purpose of discussing public business or for the purpose of taking any action within the authority of or the delegated authority of [such] the committee or body are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times. Reasonable notice of meetings shall be given to the public by publication on the daily calendars or by the presiding officer in each house at the time the meeting is scheduled.

          B. The provisions of Subsection A of this section [shall] do not apply to matters relating to personnel or matters adjudicatory in nature [or any bill, resolution or other legislative matter not yet presented to either house of the legislature or general appropriation bills].

          C. For the purposes of this section, "meeting" means a gathering of the members called by the presiding officer of a standing committee or a conference committee with a proportionate membership of majority and minority parties' representation; provided, however, that there shall be at least one member from each minority party.

          D. Conference committees shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 10-15-3 NMSA 1978.

          E. An open conference committee does not imply public participation, only public observation."

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