HOUSE MEMORIAL 27

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

INTRODUCED BY

W. Ken Martinez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF INCLUDING LONG-TIME SEASONAL LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

     WHEREAS, the legislature of New Mexico can boast a long list of loyal staff members that return year after year; and

     WHEREAS, legislators who serve in New Mexico's roundhouse come to know these scores of persons well, taking part in their lives just as those persons contribute to the life of the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, many of these seasonal workers are retired, but some work the legislative sessions as another source of income in the winter months while working in other short-term jobs during the summer and fall; and

     WHEREAS, some of the long-time seasonal employees are employed by partisan offices, some by legislative committees, some by the house of representatives, some by the senate and some by legislative agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the house of representatives would like to recognize the contributions of this group of long-time legislative employees and to provide an incentive for others to follow in their loyal tradition; and

     WHEREAS, some of the long-time seasonal employees may not have retirement funds set aside or may not have accrued an adequate retirement fund;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to study the feasibility of including long-time seasonal legislative employees in state retirement benefits; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council study include the cost of providing retirement benefits for seasonal legislative employees who have served a minimum of twenty years; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council study provide guidance on the fiscal impact of adding these employees to the public employees retirement system; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of the study be reported to the New Mexico legislative council by November 2009 for consideration by the second session of the forty-ninth legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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