FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2021
Contact: Joaquin Romero
(505) 506-5798
Senate Committee Advances Legislation to Provide Legislative Involvement in Emergency Declarations and Orders
SANTA FE – Senate Bill 74 (SB 74), sponsored by Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia), cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee today with overwhelming bipartisan support. If enacted, SB 74 would require legislative involvement in the renewing or amending of public health orders and emergency declarations.
“I want to thank my colleagues for their continued willingness to build bipartisan consensus on this important legislation,” said Senator Baca. “Today, we took a step as Legislators to create some balance among our branches of government and to better exercise the authority given to us by our voters and the New Mexico Constitution.”
Under the proposed SB 74, legislative approval would be required for orders and declarations after 45 days. This approval would be done by Joint Resolution of the Legislature, or if the Legislature is not in Session, by a majority vote of the interim Legislative Council committee. The Legislative Council is comprised of Democratic and Republican members of the Senate and House of Representatives, and meets monthly when the Legislature is not in Session.
SB 74 will now advance to the full Senate for consideration.
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