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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Adair DATE TYPED: 03/01/99 HB
SHORT TITLE: Double Compensation of Legislators SB SJR 17
ANALYST: Burch


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY99 FY2000 FY99 FY2000
$ 17.0 Nonrecurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Conflicts with Senate Joint Resolution 2 and House Joint Resolution 6



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC files

Secretary of State



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



The joint resolution amends Article 4, Section 3 of the New Mexico Constitution to prohibit double compensation of legislators. It states that a legislator may not receive a salary derived from the general fund and simultaneously receive per diem or other compensation for legislative service.



Significant Issues



Some have argued that taxpayers should not have to pay twice for a person serving in public service if that person has a job whose salary is derived from the general fund and also serves as a legislator receiving per diem and mileage for attending legislative meetings during the session and during the interim. Others have argued that this prohibition would prevent worthy individuals from serving as legislators.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The Secretary of State reports that it costs $17.0 to place an amendment on the ballot.



CONFLICT



Senate Joint Resolution 2 provides for a salary no higher that an elected county commissioner in a class A and House Joint Resolution 6 each provides for a daily salary of $200. Both salary proposals are in addition to per diem mileage paid for attending meetings.



DKB/prr