SENATE BILL 111

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Mark Boitano

AN ACT

RELATING TO ELECTIONS; RESTRICTING THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF CERTAIN BALLOT MEASURES.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Election Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS--USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS.--

          A. No state agency or political subdivision of the state, nor any public officer or employee of a state agency or political subdivision of the state, shall use public funds to conduct an advertising campaign to influence the outcome of a constitutional amendment or other question submitted to the voters.

          B. As used in this section:

                (1) "advertising campaign" means an advertisement or series of advertisements disseminated to the public either in print, by radio or television broadcast or by any other electronic means, including telephonic communications, and may include direct or bulk mailings of printed materials; and

                (2) "state agency" means any branch, agency, instrumentality or institution of the state."

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