April 8, 1999

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 278, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation would include "non-salaried public officers" within the coverage of the Worker’s Compensation Act. This would include state legislators and all members of the many boards and commissions. On its face, this appears to be an unconstitutional attempt to increase compensation for state legislators. Additionally, this legislation potentially creates a negative impact to the Risk Management and Worker’s Compensation funds, since the state would incur additional expense to cover people who are not employees of state government and would thereby increase self insurance premiums.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor