New Mexico legislators concluded a volatile 12-day special session December 17 by granting final approval for a new map for Senate districts and authorizing an emergency update to New Mexico’s medical malpractice law.

The two proposals now head to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has until January 6, 2022 to take action on them.

The final work of the Legislature came in the House, where lawmakers engaged in another aggressive debate over how to redraw political boundaries to reflect 2020 census data.

Over the last two weeks, much of the sparring has been especially personal, as lawmakers’ own districts and reelection chances are at stake.

For each separate expenditure of $500 or more made or incurred by a lobbyist or employer during a special legislative session, a report will be due within 48 hours.

In a 3-2 decision on June 16, the New Mexico Supreme Court denied a request allowing lobbyists and public into the Capitol, known as the Roundhouse, during the special legislative session beginning June 18.

Chief Justice Judith Nakamura described the decision as a difficult ruling to make. However, Nakamura concurred with Justices Barbara Vigil and Michael Vigil in denying the petition. 24 lawmakers submitted this proposal which would have opened the Roundhouse to lobbyists and the public for the special session.

The petition argued that prohibiting lobbyists from entering the Roundhouse violates the constitutional requirement to make all legislative sessions public.

New Mexico’s constitution provides all sessions of each house must be public. Justices challenged attorneys on both sides to define the term “public” and explain in detail what constitutes a public session.

Justice C. Shannon Bacon expressed concern about large parts of the state not having broadband. She also emphasized that thousands of people do not have access to computers, describing New Mexico as a technological desert.

The Supreme Court concluded virtual proceedings balance the need to protect the public from the public health concerns of COVID-19 with the need to ensure the legislative session remains open and transparent.

The ruling means those who wish to follow the session will watch the hearings from their computer screens. This will be current reality, rather than gathering in committee rooms and House and Senate galleries.

The public will be able to speak at the discretion of the House committee chairs via Zoom video conference call. However, the public will only be allowed to send emails, rather than joining a video conference, to address the Senate’s committee.

Beginning June 18, lawmakers will begin debating how to shore up an estimated $2 billion shortfall in projected revenues for the fiscal year 2021 budget. This shortfall is largely due to the pandemic-related government shutdown.

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on March 16, 2019.

House Bill 668, relating to the State Ethics Commission Act, was passed by the Legislature on the final day of the session.

The bill creates the new independent ethics commission demanded by voters in the November 2018 election.

The new commission will oversee state public officials and employees and give the commission investigative powers over ethics violations.

The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature. If signed, sections one through eight and 34 of the bill will become effective July 1, 2019.

The remaining sections will become effective on January 1, 2020.

The New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on February 15.

Bills that have passed both chambers include Senate Bill 50, which creates stricter contribution policies made via the internet by a credit card or a debit card to a candidate or PAC, and Senate Bill 67, which changes lobbying reports to also include the cumulative total of all individual expenditures of less than $100 made or incurred by the employer or lobbyist.

The governor has 20 days from adjournment to sign any bills passed by the Legislature, otherwise they are pocket vetoed.

The first special session of the 2017 New Mexico Legislature adjourned sine die on May 30, 2017.

Gov. Susana Martinez signed legislation reinstating funding for higher education and vetoed a bill raising taxes.

Both the House and Senate were in session for less than one hour.

Gov. Susana Martinez has called a special session for May 24, 2017.

According to the proclamation, the special session is called to enact legislation concerning the budget, tax reform, and nominees for the appointment to the Board of Regents for state higher education institutions.

Per New Mexico law, all legislators are prohibited from soliciting a campaign contribution beginning when a proclamation has been issued and ending when the special session adjourns.

The adjournment date has yet to be determined.