New Mexico Constitution Article IV - Legislative Department
New Mexico Constitution – Article IV: Legislative Department
🔹 Overview:
Article IV of the New Mexico Constitution establishes and governs the Legislative Branch of the state government. It outlines the structure, powers, duties, and limitations of the state legislature, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.
🔸 Key Sections & Provisions Summary:
Section 1 – Legislative power
Vests legislative authority in a bicameral legislature:
Senate
House of Representatives
Section 2 – Membership
Specifies the number of members:
No more than 42 senators
No more than 70 representatives
Members are elected from districts apportioned based on population.
Section 3 – Terms of office
Senators serve 4-year terms
Representatives serve 2-year terms
Section 4 – Sessions
Regular sessions are held annually:
Odd-numbered years: 60-day sessions
Even-numbered years: 30-day sessions (limited to budget and governor-approved topics)
Special sessions may be called by the Governor.
Section 5 – Powers of each house
Each house may judge its own members, establish rules of procedure, punish members, and expel a member with a two-thirds vote.
Section 6 – Quorum
A majority of the members constitutes a quorum to conduct business.
Section 12 – Bills; origin and passage
Bills may originate in either house.
Must pass both houses and be signed by the Governor (or veto overridden) to become law.
Section 22 – Appropriation bills
General appropriation bills may only contain budget items; other appropriations require separate bills.
Section 23 – Initiative and referendum
Allows citizens to propose laws (initiative) and approve or reject laws passed by the legislature (referendum), subject to procedural rules.
✅ Purpose and Importance:
Ensures representative government
Establishes legislative checks and balances
Provides for public participation through referendum and initiative
Regulates legislative sessions, procedures, and limitations
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