HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 3

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

James G. Townsend and Rod Montoya

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY TO ADOPT AND TO REQUIRE ALL INTERIM COMMITTEES CREATED OR APPOINTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 10-15-2 NMSA 1978 OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

     WHEREAS, a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate; and

     WHEREAS, the Open Meetings Act, also called a sunshine law, requires that meetings of the state legislature and other public bodies be open to the public so that the people of the state have the greatest possible information regarding the internal workings of their government; and

     WHEREAS, much of the work of the legislature is done during the interim, from April to December, when interim committees and subcommittees meet regularly to hear from experts on a wide range of issues that affect the state, review legislation for endorsement and discuss policy issues of importance to the people of the state; and

     WHEREAS, interim committee meetings are not subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Act; and

     WHEREAS, the adoption of a policy to adopt the provisions of Section 10-15-2 NMSA 1978 of the Open Meetings Act would increase public access to information regarding the work of elected representatives and contribute to a more informed electorate;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to implement a policy to adopt and to require all interim committees created by or appointed by the New Mexico legislative council to adopt all requirements of the Open Meetings Act that apply to the state legislature pursuant to Section 10-15-2 NMSA 1978; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the director of the legislative council service.

- 2 -