New Mexico House of Representatives
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| New Mexico House of Representatives | |
|---|---|
| Name | New Mexico House of Representatives |
| Legislature | New Mexico Legislature |
| House type | Lower house |
| Body | New Mexico Legislature |
| Term limits | None |
| New session | January 2023 |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Leader1 | Javier Martínez |
| Party1 | (D) |
| Election1 | January 17, 2023 |
| Leader2 type | Speaker pro tempore |
| Leader2 | Reena Szczepanski |
| Party2 | (D) |
| Election2 | January 17, 2023 |
| Leader3 type | Majority Leader |
| Leader3 | Gail Chasey |
| Party3 | (D) |
| Election3 | January 17, 2023 |
| Leader4 type | Minority Leader |
| Leader4 | Ryan Lane |
| Party4 | (R) |
| Election4 | January 17, 2023 |
| Members | 70 |
| Political groups1 | Majority (45), Democratic (45), Minority (25), Republican (25) |
| Term length | 2 years |
| Authority | Article V, New Mexico Constitution |
| Salary | $0 + per diem |
| Last election1 | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election1 | November 5, 2024 |
| Meeting place | House of Representatives Chamber, New Mexico State Capitol, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Website | https://www.nmlegis.gov/house |
New Mexico House of Representatives. It is the lower chamber of the New Mexico Legislature, a bicameral body that convenes in the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Composed of 70 representatives elected from single-member districts, the body shares lawmaking responsibilities with the New Mexico Senate. Its members are central to crafting the state's budget, enacting statutes, and providing oversight of the Governor of New Mexico's administration.
History
The chamber was first convened in 1912 following New Mexico's admission to the United States as the 47th state under the New Mexico Constitution. Early sessions grappled with establishing foundational laws for the new state, often focusing on issues like water rights, land grants, and relations with Native American Pueblos and Navajo communities. Throughout the 20th century, it was involved in significant legislative actions, including the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and later debates over the Federal Aid Highway Act. The Reynolds v. Sims decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1964 mandated the redistricting of the house to adhere to the "one person, one vote" principle.
Membership and elections
Members are elected to two-year terms with no term limits. Elections are held in even-numbered years, coinciding with the presidential or midterm federal election cycles. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of New Mexico for at least one year, and a resident of their district for at least 90 days prior to the election. District boundaries are redrawn every ten years following the United States Census by the New Mexico Legislature itself, a process often subject to political contention and, at times, litigation.
Powers and duties
The chamber holds the exclusive constitutional power to initiate revenue bills and articles of impeachment against state officials. It shares general legislative power with the New Mexico Senate, including passing the annual state budget formulated by the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee. The house must concur with senate amendments to bills it originates, and it holds confirmation authority over certain gubernatorial appointments. Jointly, the legislature exercises oversight of state agencies and can propose amendments to the New Mexico Constitution, which then require voter approval.
Leadership and organization
The presiding officer is the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, elected by the full membership at the start of each term; the current speaker is Javier Martínez. Other key leaders include the Speaker pro tempore, the Majority Leader, and the Minority Leader. The house organizes its work through a system of standing committees, such as the Taxation and Revenue Committee and the Judiciary Committee, where much of the detailed scrutiny of legislation occurs. The Legislative Council Service provides non-partisan research and drafting support.
Current composition
Following the 2022 New Mexico House of Representatives election, the Democratic Party holds a majority of 45 seats, while the Republican Party holds 25 seats. This composition gives the Democratic caucus sufficient numbers to pass legislation, override gubernatorial vetoes, and control committee assignments and the legislative agenda. The current party alignment reflects the state's recent political trends in statewide offices like those held by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez.
Notable members
Several individuals who served in the chamber later achieved significant prominence. Manuel Lujan Jr., who represented Bernalillo County, later served as a U.S. Representative and as the United States Secretary of the Interior under President George H. W. Bush. Bill Richardson served in the house before being elected to Congress, later serving as United States Ambassador to the United Nations, United States Secretary of Energy, and Governor of New Mexico. Georgia O'Keeffe, though world-renowned as an artist, briefly served as a house member from Santa Fe County in the 1950s. Contemporary notable members include Speaker Javier Martínez and longtime representative Gail Chasey.
Category:New Mexico House of Representatives Category:State lower houses in the United States Category:Legislatures of the U.S. states Category:Government of New Mexico Category:1912 establishments in New Mexico