New Mexico Changes to Legislative Session Length and Proceedings Amendment (2026)
| New Mexico Changes to Legislative Session Length and Proceedings Amendment | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic State legislatures measures |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Not on the ballot
The New Mexico Changes to Legislative Session Length and Proceedings Amendment is not on the ballot in New Mexico as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.[1]
The amendment would have authorized the New Mexico State Legislature to meet each year for up to 45 days, allowed any bills to be considered during even-numbered year sessions, and changed the start date for legislative sessions from the third Tuesday in January to the second Tuesday in January. As of 2025, the state legislature met for 60 days in odd-numbered years and 30 days in even-numbered years. The state legislature can only work on budgets, appropriations, and revenue bills; bills based on a message from the governor; or bills vetoed by the governor from the previous session in even-numbered years.[1]
Text of measure
Full text
The full text of the amendment can be read here.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the New Mexico Constitution
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the New Mexico State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 36 votes in the New Mexico House of Representatives and 22 votes in the New Mexico State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
This amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 1 on January 22, 2025. On February 27, 2025, the state House passed HJR 1 in a vote of 59-4, with seven excused or absent. The bill did not receive a vote by the Senate before the legislature adjourned.[1]
| Vote in the New Mexico House of Representatives | |||
| Requirement: Simple majority of all members in each chamber | |||
Number of yes votes required: 36  | |||
| Yes | No | Not voting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 59 | 4 | 7 |
| Total percent | 84.3% | 5.7% | 10.0% |
| Democrat | 41 | 0 | 3 |
| Republican | 18 | 4 | 4 |
See also
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External links
Footnotes
