HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 12

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Alonzo Baldonado

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE FOR STAGGERED TERMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND TO ALLOW MEMBERS TO BE CANDIDATES FOR BOTH THE SENATE AND ANOTHER STATE OFFICE IN THE SAME ELECTION.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 4 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. Members of the legislature shall be elected as follows: [those senators from Bernalillo, Chaves, Curry, DeBaca, Grant, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Sandoval, San Juan, San Miguel, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union and Valencia counties for a term of six years starting January 1, 1961, and after serving such terms shall be elected for a term of four years thereafter; those senators from all other counties for the terms of four years, and]

                (1) members of the senate elected at the general election in 2016 shall be divided by lot, in a manner determined by the senate, into two classes of twenty-one seats in each class. The terms for members of the senate in class one shall be two years following the general election in 2016 and four years following subsequent elections. The term for members of the senate in class two shall be four years following the general election in 2016 and in subsequent elections; and

                (2) members of the house of representatives shall be elected for a term of two years. [They]

          B. Members of the senate in class one shall be eligible to be candidates for both the senate and any other state office in an election in which members of the senate in class two may participate.

          C. Members of the legislature shall be elected on the day provided by law for holding the general election of state officers or representatives in congress.

          D. If a vacancy occurs in the office of senator or member of the house of representatives, for any reason, the county commissioners of the county wherein the vacancy occurs shall fill such vacancy by appointment.

          E. Such legislative appointments as provided in this section shall be for a term ending on December 31, subsequent to the next succeeding general election."

     SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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