SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2021

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 4, SECTION 22 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE THAT ALL BILLS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND NOT ACTED ON BY THE GOVERNOR WILL BECOME LAW AND TO REQUIRE VETO MESSAGES ON ALL BILLS VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 22 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. Every bill passed by the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for approval. If [he] the governor approves, [he] the governor shall sign it and deposit it with the secretary of state; otherwise, [he] the governor shall return it to the house in which it originated [with his objections, which shall] to be entered at large upon the journal; and such bill shall not become a law unless thereafter approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting in each house by yea and nay vote entered upon its journal. Any bill not returned by the governor within three days, Sundays excepted, after being presented to [him] the governor, shall become a law, whether signed by [him] the governor or not, unless the legislature by adjournment prevent such return.

          B. Every bill presented to the governor during the last three days of the session shall be approved or vetoed by [him] the governor within twenty days after the adjournment and shall be by [him] the governor immediately deposited with the secretary of state. Unless [so approved and signed] vetoed by [him] the governor, such a bill passed by the legislature shall [not] become a law.

          C. The governor may in like manner approve or disapprove any part or parts, item or items, of any bill appropriating money, and such parts or items approved shall become a law, and such as are disapproved shall be void unless passed over [his] the governor's veto, as herein provided.

          D. The governor shall provide an explanation for each veto. The explanation shall be deposited with the house in which the bill originated and with the secretary of state."

     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.

- 3 -