HOUSE RESOLUTION 5

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

INTRODUCED BY

Keith J. Gardner

A RESOLUTION

AMENDING THE HOUSE RULES RELATED TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A MEMBER MAY BE EXCUSED.

     WHEREAS, the rules of the house of representatives may be amended by a two-thirds' vote of all the members of the house or by a majority vote of the members of the house upon the recommendation of the rules and order of business committee;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that House Rule 7-1 be amended to read:

"7-1      Every member of the house shall be present on the floor of the house during each session, unless prevented by sickness or excused at the member's request by the speaker in writing. The excuse shall be filed with the chief clerk."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that House Rule 7-4 be amended to read:

"7-4      When a quorum is present and any member who has not previously been excused pursuant to House Rule 7-1 is absent, a call of the house shall be ordered by the speaker upon [an affirmative vote] the request of seven or more of the members present; excepting that a call of the house shall not be ordered on a motion to adjourn, motion to take a recess, after the voting on any question has begun, or after the speaker recognizes any person authorized to close debate on any bill, resolution or memorial. A member who is excused pursuant to House Rule 7-1 is also excused from the call of the house. The call of the house is complete when all members covered by the call are present. The call of the house is dissolved only when the issue or issues covered by the call have been disposed of or if all those present who originally requested the call approve the dissolution."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that House Rule 7-5 be amended to read:

"7-5      Every member of the house shall vote on each question or motion coming [up] before the house when requested to do so by the speaker, unless excused pursuant to House Rule 7-6 by a majority vote of those members present."; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that House Rule 7-4-1 be repealed.

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