New Mexico
AFT New Mexico: ‘I’m Just A Bill’
Courtesy AFT NM
BY WHITNEY HOLLAND
President, AFT NM
@unionwhitney
Even though we are only in the first week of the Legislative session and bills have not been debated extensively, we wanted to take a quick moment to review the path legislation in the New Mexico legislature in real life:
Bills can be introduced in either the House of Representatives or the State Senate, and sometimes duplicate bills will be introduced in both chambers. Generally, a bill will receive 1-3 committee hearings in the legislative chamber where the bill is introduced.
In a 30-day session, like this year, only bills which are budgetary in nature are germane (relevant to a subject under consideration). Additionally, the governor can send a “message” in support of a non-budgetary bill to add it to the list of legislation eligible to be considered in a budgetary year.
Once a bill passes its assigned committees, it will be heard by the full chamber where it was introduced. If that chamber’s majority votes “yes” on the legislation, it will then be sent to the other legislative chamber for consideration in committees and then by the full chamber before heading to the Governor for their signature or veto.
The legislative process, by design, is slow and there are many steps along the way to gather input and review to make the strongest laws possible. It is a tedious process, but it helps to have many viewpoints considered before enacting a new law.
Our union has had success in passing new laws – or modernizing existing laws – when we have worked with partners and stakeholders in the education community, labor community, or legislative community. We will partner with any organization or legislator who shares our values to advance our legislative goals and improve public education, healthcare, and New Mexico labor laws for the benefit of our members, profession, and community.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy, engagement, and support over the remainder of the 2024 Legislative Session! Follow AFT NM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.