N.M. Const. art. IV, § 19
Time limitation on the introduction of bills at any session of the legislature shall be established by law. (As amended November 8, 1932, and November 8, 1960.)
The 1960 amendment, which was proposed by S.J.R. No. 4 (Laws 1959) and adopted at the general election held on November 8, 1960, with a vote of 58,840 for and 56,532 against, amended this section to provide that the time limitation for the introduction of bills should be set by law.
The 1932 amendment, which was proposed by H.J.R. 10 (Laws 1931) and adopted at the general election held on November 8, 1932, with a vote of 34,028 for and 14,739 against, amended this section, which formerly read: "No bill for the appropriation of money, except for the current expenses of the government, and no bill for the increase of compensation of any officer, or for the creation of any lucrative office, shall be introduced after the tenth day prior to the expiration of the session, as provided herein, except by unanimous consent of the house in which it is introduced. No bill shall be acted upon at any session unless introduced at that session," to read: "No bill shall be introduced at any regular session of the legislature subsequent to the forty-fifth legislative day, except the general appropriation bill, bills to provide for the current expenses of the government and such bills as may be referred to the legislature by the governor by special message specifically setting forth the emergency or necessity requiring such legislation."
Cross references. — For constitutional provision relating to the length of legislative session, see N.M. Const., art. IV, § 5.
For adjournment of legislature, see N.M. Const., art. IV, § 14.
For limit on time within which bills may be introduced, see 2-6-1 NMSA 1978.
For computation of time, see 12-2A-7 NMSA 1978.
Challenging bill as late. — Contention that Laws 1917, ch. 111 (former 4-8-1 to 4-8-4, 1953 Comp., relating to the state boundary commission) was unconstitutional because it was introduced late and was actually a new bill for appropriation of money, though purporting to be a substitute for another bill, was not well taken in view of decision in Kelley v. Marron, 1915-NMSC-092, 21 N.M. 239, 153 P. 262, holding that courts cannot go behind an enrolled and engrossed bill, properly authenticated and found in office of secretary of state. State ex rel. Clancy v. Hall, 1917-NMSC-070, 23 N.M. 422, 168 P. 715. See Dillon v. King, 1974-NMSC-096, 87 N.M. 79, 529 P.2d 745, authorizing inquiry into question of whether a challenged act was passed within the constitutional limitation set in N.M. Const., art. IV, § 5.
"Bill". — The definition of a "bill," liberally construed, refers to that document which when passed by both houses and signed by the governor becomes an act. 1951 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 51-5336.
Memorials and resolutions may be introduced after 45th legislative day set by this section prior to the 1960 amendment limitation for introduction of bills. 1951 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 51-5336.
Amendments to constitution. — The amendment of this section in 1932 merely amended the original section, and did not in any way amend by implication N.M. Const., art. XIX, § 1, providing that amendment to the constitution may be proposed in either house at any regular session thereof. 1951 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 51-5336.
Law reviews. — For article, "The Executive," see 7 Nat. Resources J. 267 (1967).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 73 Am. Jur. 2d Statutes § 54.
Injunctive relief against submission of constitutional amendment, statute, municipal charter or municipal ordinance on ground that proposed action would be unconstitutional, 19 A.L.R.2d 519.
82 C.J.S. Statutes § 22.