SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 15

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

INTRODUCED BY

Cliff R. Pirtle

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO ALLOW COUNTIES TO PETITION THE LEGISLATURE AND CONGRESS TO FORM A NEW STATE OR JOIN AN ADJOINING STATE.

 

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 1 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

     "In accordance with the provisions of Subsection A or B of this section, the legislature, as requested by the counties, in cooperation with the properly constituted authority of any adjoining state, is empowered to change, alter and redefine the state boundaries, such change, alteration and redefinition to become effective only upon approval of the congress of the United States.

          A. Counties wishing to form a new state will be deemed to have obtained the consent of the legislature if the following conditions are met and the same presented for certification to the secretary of state:

                (1) at least fifteen percent of the qualified electors in each of at least three contiguous counties sign a petition requesting the consent of the legislature to allow the qualified electors of those counties to petition congress to be admitted to the union as a new state; and

                (2) the county commission of each of those counties unanimously resolves to join with no less than two other contiguous counties to form a new state and to petition congress for admittance to the union as a new state.

          B. Counties wishing to join an adjoining state will be deemed to have obtained the consent of the legislature if the following conditions are met and the same presented for

certification to the secretary of state:

                (1) at least fifteen percent of the qualified electors in each of at least three contiguous counties, one of which must share a border with an adjoining state, sign a petition requesting the consent of the legislature to allow the qualified electors of those counties to petition congress, after first petitioning and obtaining the consent of the legislature of the adjoining state to become part of the adjoining state; and

                (2) the county commission of each county unanimously resolves to join with no less than two other contiguous counties, one of which must share a border with an adjoining state, and petition congress after first petitioning and obtaining the consent of the legislature of the adjoining state to become part of the adjoining 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.

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