Santa Fe, NM – House Republican Leadership today requested an opinion or report regarding several rule changes that will be filed by Democrat lawmakers this upcoming 60-day Legislative Session beginning on January 19, 2021. In a letter to the New Mexico Legislative Council, House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia), Republican Whip Rod Montoya (Farmington), and Republican Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow (Truth or Consequences) have raised concern over three proposed rule changes which appear to violate various requirements contained in the New Mexico Constitution.

While the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Brian Egolf, has indicated in recent media interviews that the House will operate completely virtually, the New Mexico Senate has indicated it will operate in a hybrid format. The divide in legislative operations is set to be further amplified by the Speaker’s personal opinion that bills within the House chamber should be limited to five per member, with the exception that the House will consider any proposal brought forward by the Governor’s endorsement. Republican House leadership contends that these two proposals would negatively impact members of the House and effectively provide one legislative chamber with control over lawmaking in New Mexico in addition to ceding legislative authority to the Governor.

The third concern raised is the legality of the Legislature operating in a 100% virtual format, without a requirement of members to be within the city limits of Santa Fe. The state constitution is clear that the Legislature and its members are required to convene and hold their operations in the Capitol. Operating without members physically present could threaten the legitimacy of any action taken by the House of Representatives this session, and could result in legal challenges.