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SJR 12

Constitutional amendment; vote of the people; elimination of ad valorem tax; providing ballot title.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dusty Deevers

Amends NM Constitution to cap regular sessions at 60 days and unify the range of bills allowed in all years, regardless of year type.

Coauthored by Senator Jett
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SJR 12

Summary — SJR 12 (Legislative Session Changes, CA) — New Mexico

Status: Action postponed indefinitely
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Type: Joint resolution (constitutional amendment proposed)
Primary Sponsors: Senators López, Pinto, Sedillo Lopez, Pope (per fiscal note)

Purpose / Intent

SJR 12 proposes a voter-approved amendment to Article IV, Section 5 of the New Mexico Constitution to change how regular legislative sessions are timed and what may be considered during them. The intent is to eliminate the current distinction between odd- and even‑numbered‑year sessions and set a uniform session length.

Key provisions

  • Sets a maximum length for each regular legislative session of 60 days.
  • Removes the constitutional restrictions that currently limit the subject matter of bills during even‑numbered‑year sessions. In other words, both year types could consider the same range of legislation.
  • Allows bills to override a governor’s veto from a prior regular session to be considered during certain special or extraordinary sessions within the same legislative biennium.
  • The resolution would place the proposed constitutional amendment before voters at the next general election (November 2026) or at a special election called earlier for that purpose. The amendment becomes effective only if approved by a majority of voters.

Who is affected

  • Legislature and legislative staff: changes to session scheduling, rules and internal procedures.
  • Secretary of State (SOS): required to print and publicize the ballot text in English and Spanish.
  • Voters: required to approve the constitutional change.
  • Indirectly, state agencies, local governments and stakeholders that interact with the Legislature during session.

Fiscal and administrative impacts

  • Election/ballot costs: LFC estimates a one-time (nonrecurring) SOS cost of approximately $35,000 to $50,000 to print and publish amendment materials (cost varies by ballot size and logistics). This is the estimated cost per constitutional amendment.
  • Legislative budget: LFC projects that if implemented, shifting session cadence (the fiscal-year distribution of 60-day sessions) would produce savings in some fiscal years and added costs in others that likely net to zero for the Legislature and staff over the biennium.
  • Administrative: Legislative Council Service would need to update rules and procedures if ratified; LCS expects existing staff/resources can handle this.

Significant procedural considerations

  • Statutory limits on bill filing (Section 2-6-1 NMSA 1978) — most bills must still be introduced by the 30th day in odd-year sessions and by the 15th day in even-year sessions — would remain in force unless separately changed. That may constrain the practical effect of longer/identical sessions unless statutes are also revised.
  • SJR 12 conflicts with other proposed amendments (House Joint Resolution 1 and House Joint Resolution 8), which would set 45‑day sessions and in one case change the start date.

Timeline

  • Introduced Nov 12, 2024. Fiscal note dated Feb 21, 2025. LFC analysis provided.
  • Proposed ballot appearance: Nov 2026 general election (or an earlier special election called for this purpose).
  • Current legislative status (per user data): action postponed indefinitely.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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