SENATE BILL 150

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE; EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF MATTERS SUBJECT TO OPEN MEETINGS FOR STANDING AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEES; CHANGING NOTICE PROVISIONS; REQUIRING CONFERENCE COMMITTEES TO BE PUBLIC MEETINGS; PROVIDING FOR PROPORTIONATE MEMBERSHIP ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

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 in 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. Conference committees shall:

                (1) consist of a proportionate membership from the majority and minority parties, provided that there shall be at least one member from each minority party;

                (2) be open to the public for public observation but not for public participation; and

                (3) not be subject to the provisions of Section 10-15-4 NMSA 1978.

          [C.] D. 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."

- 2 -