SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 21

44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO REQUIRE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FOR VOLUNTARY PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTION CAMPAIGNS FOR THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE AUDITOR, STATE TREASURER, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS, STATE SENATOR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, COMMISSIONER OF THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION, JUDGE AND JUSTICE.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 20 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

"A. The legislature shall establish by law a system of voluntary public financing of election campaigns for candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer, commissioner of public lands, state senator, state representative, commissioner of the public regulation commission, judge and justice.

B. The legislature may phase in the system of financing of election campaigns by providing that the option of public financing of election campaigns be offered at least to candidates for attorney general and judgeships beginning in the primary and general election of 2002; to candidates for state senator and state representative beginning in the primary and general elections of 2004; and to candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, commissioner of public lands and commissioner of the public regulation commission beginning in the primary and general elections of 2006.

C. A system of public financing of election campaigns shall provide reasonable standards for candidates' participation, contribution limits and expenditure limits."

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 which may be called for that purpose.

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