SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 16

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Leonard Lee Rawson

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4, SECTION 10 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO LIMIT COMPENSATION OF LEGISLATORS TO AN ANNUAL SALARY, TO RESTRICT PER DIEM AND MILEAGE TO TEN DAYS PER MONTH DURING THE INTERIM AND TO ALLOW INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE RATES FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL.

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

     Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 10 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

     "Each member of the legislature shall receive:

          A. per diem at the rate set by the federal government and accepted by the internal revenue service [per diem rate] for the city of Santa Fe for [each day's attendance during] each session of the legislature and the internal revenue service standard mileage rate for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of government by the usual traveled route, once each session as defined by Article 4, Section 5 of this constitution;

          B. per diem [expense] and mileage at the same rates as provided in Subsection A of this section for service at in-state meetings required by legislative committees established by the legislature to meet in the interim between sessions; [and

          C. no other compensation, perquisite or allowance]

          C. for service at out-of-state meetings related to a member's legislative duties, either:

                (1) per diem and mileage at a rate set by the federal government and accepted by the internal revenue service for the out-of-state location; or

                (2) actual expenses that may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary travel expenditures pursuant to law;

          D. no more than ten per diem and mileage days per month as provided in Subsections B and C of this section; and

          E. an annual salary that is fifteen percent of the salary for United States congressional representatives and senators."

     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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