HOUSE MEMORIAL 36

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Rick Little

A MEMORIAL

DIRECTING THE HOUSE CHIEF CLERK TO INVESTIGATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE BETTER USE OF THE CHAMBER'S TIME AND TO OPERATE AT LESS COST TO THE TAXPAYER.

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature is limited by the constitution of New Mexico to meeting for only sixty days in odd-numbered years and thirty days in even-numbered years; and

     WHEREAS, that limitation dictates that the legislature operate as efficiently and effectively as possible while it is in session; and

     WHEREAS, the house of representatives has taken some initial steps to be more efficient and effective by allowing legislation to be filed before the beginning of any regular session and by allowing certain committees to begin hearings on state agency budgets before thirty-day sessions begin; and

     WHEREAS, prior to the second session of the fiftieth legislature, more than five dozen pieces of legislation, including fifty-four bills and four proposed constitutional amendments, were prefiled in the house of representatives; and

     WHEREAS, holding committee hearings on prefiled legislation during the first several days of each regular session may reduce the number of late-night committee hearings and floor sessions later in the session and allow for the consideration of many additional pieces of worthy legislation; and

     WHEREAS, each regular session of the legislature costs taxpayers more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) a day; and

     WHEREAS, there are many pressing issues facing the people of New Mexico that deserve the full attention of the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the members of the New Mexico house of representatives to work diligently for the people of the state within its limited time, to identify opportunities for cost savings and increased productivity and to provide adequate time to address legislation that will better the condition of New Mexico and its residents;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the chief clerk of the house of representatives, with the assistance of the legislative council service, be directed to investigate opportunities for cost savings and to make better use of the house of representatives' limited time to consider legislation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief clerk be directed, as part of the clerk's investigation, to review best practices from other legislatures and the private sector and to consult with at least one private-sector management consultant; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief clerk report the clerk's findings and recommendations, if any, to the first session of the fifty-first legislature.

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