SENATE MEMORIAL 19

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

David Ulibarri

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ECONOMIC AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES TO HEAR TESTIMONY AND CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY AND DESIRABILITY OF PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE VENUES FOR PUBLICATION OF LEGAL NOTICES.

     WHEREAS, the provision of legal notices to the public is essential to an informed public and a functioning democracy; and

     WHEREAS, legal notices traditionally have been disseminated through print media, as is currently required by Chapter 14, Article 11 NMSA 1978; and

     WHEREAS, the reach of traditional print media sources has diminished in the past decade as circulation has fallen; and

     WHEREAS, many traditional print media sources have decreased their geographic coverage and the frequency with which they are published; and 

     WHEREAS, the dissemination of legal notices in sparsely populated areas and rural communities may be hampered by the diminished circulation and frequency of traditional print media sources; and

     WHEREAS, alternative media formats such as radio and television broadcasting have steadily increased their reach advantage into communities across New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, it is desirable to study the feasibility of disseminating legal notices to the public through newer media formats; and

     WHEREAS, the use and mix of media has changed dramatically, and constituent usage patterns are continually evolving and have forever changed since the enactment of Chapter 14, Article 11 NMSA 1978;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee concerned with economic and rural development issues to receive testimony and study the feasibility and desirability of permitting the dissemination of legal notices to the public through radio and television broadcasts by:

          A. inviting input from broadcasters and surveying

alternative approaches to the publication of legal notices undertaken in other states; and

          B. encouraging radio and television broadcasters to develop and test, in cooperation with local governmental entities, the dissemination of legal notices through broadcast media in order to provide data to assist the committee in determining the desirability and feasibility of providing legal notices via over-the-air broadcasts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interim committee report its findings and recommendations by December 2010; 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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