SANTA FE, NM—Republican State Legislators Jim Townsend (R-Chaves, Eddy & Otero) and Randal Pettigrew (R-Lea) are introducing legislation that will create an Administrative Rule Oversight Committee to review rules proposed by the Executive Branch. The purpose of the committee, which will consist of six republicans and six democrats of the legislative branch, is to give proper review of executive power, to ensure statutory authority and legislative intent.

Letter and bill PDF below:

New Mexico is one of only nine states that does not have a legislative review process in place, creating an imbalance of power between the legislative and executive branches. Rep. Jim Townsend stated, “the framers of our constitution intended the legislature to set public policy, but we are witnessing an unprecedented number of executive rules that impact the everyday New Mexican absent of the legislative process and public comment.”

Although no executive branch wants less power, policymakers understand that administrative rules should not be used to make law; that is the job of elected representatives. Rep. Randal Pettigrew concluded, “we believe this is a nonpartisan issue that both sides of the aisle can support, one that will respect the intentions of the State Constitution and allow each branch to lawfully carry out their policy making roles.”