Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1) proposes to amend NM Constitution Article 4 to add a new section to create a citizen commission on legislative salaries to establish, adjust and limit the salaries of members of the legislature and to amend Section 10 of this Article to authorize payment of legislative salaries.

 

 Senate Joint Resolution 1 (SJR 1) proposes to change NM Constitution Article 4, by adding a new section 43 to create a citizen commission on legislative salaries and amends Article 4, Section 10 by allowing for provision of legislative salaries. It makes technical changes concerning the per diem standard in Section 10. 
In the proposed section 43 of Article 4, SJR  1 creates a nine-member Citizen Commission on Legislative Salaries, an independent state agency, to establish, adjust and limit the salaries of members of the legislature. It limits members of any one political party to four with the terms and other qualifications provided by law. Commission members receive per diem and mileage.
SJR 1 directs the Commission to adopt and file a final report with the secretary of state (SOS) on its determination to establish, adjust or limit legislative salaries on or before 1 October 2028 and at least every four years thereafter. SJR 1 requires not fewer than five members (5/9) of the total number of Commission members for the Commission to adopt its report. The salaries established by the Commission become effective the first full pay period in July immediately following the filing of the report with the secretary of state (SOS). 
SJR 1 amends Article 4, section 10 by clarifying that the per diem rate for legislators will be set by the federal General Services Administration or its successor agency and allows for provision of legislative salaries.
If passed, SJR 1 will be submitted to the people of the state who will approve or reject this proposed amendment at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.
 

  NM legislators receive per diem when in session and when meeting in subcommittee and other reimbursements such as mileage and retirement benefits
 

 2/5/25
The Senate Rules Committee introduced a committee substitution for SJR 1 (CS/SJR 1 SRC) that proposes to change NM Constitution Article 4, by adding a new section 43 to create a citizen commission on legislative salaries and amends Article 4, Section 10 by allowing for provision of legislative salaries. It makes technical changes concerning the per diem standard in Section 10. 
In the proposed section 43 of Article 4, CS/SJR 1 SRC creates a nine-member Citizen Commission on Legislative Salaries, an independent state agency, to establish, adjust and limit the salaries of members of the legislature. It limits members of any one political party to four with the terms and other qualifications provided by law. Commission members receive per diem and mileage.
CS/SJR 1 SRC directs the Commission to adopt and file a final report with the secretary of state (SOS) on its determination to establish, adjust or limit legislative salaries on or before 1 October 2029 and at least every four years thereafter. CS/SJR 1 SRC requires not fewer than five members (5/9) of the total number of Commission members for the Commission to adopt its report. The salaries established by the Commission become effective the first full pay period in July immediately following the filing of the report with the secretary of state (SOS). 
CS/SJR 1 SRC amends Article 4, section 10 by clarifying that the per diem rate for legislators will be set by the federal General Services Administration or its successor agency and allows for provision of legislative salaries.
If passed, CS/SJR 1 SRC will be submitted to the people of the state who will approve or reject this proposed amendment at the general election in 2028 or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.