The proposed amendment to House Rule 11-24-6 seeks to impact the legislative workflow by making the process of passing Senate amendments more stringent when emergency clauses are involved. This change could lead to more thorough discussions and deliberations within the House, thereby potentially slowing down the legislative process on urgent matters. The intention is to prevent hasty decisions that may arise from the pressures of an emergency situation, ensuring that such critical amendments receive due consideration from a greater number of lawmakers.
Summary
House Resolution 3 (HR3) was introduced in the New Mexico legislature by Representatives James G. Townsend and Rod Montoya. The resolution proposes an amendment to the existing house rules, specifically targeting how concurrence is handled concerning bills that return from the Senate with amendments. The primary focus of HR3 is to enforce a new voting requirement; it mandates that a two-thirds majority is necessary for the House to concur with Senate amendments when such amendments include an emergency clause. This requirement aims to ensure a higher consensus on urgent legislative decisions, enhancing the integrity of the legislative process, especially concerning time-sensitive matters.
Contention
The main point of contention surrounding HR3 involves the implications of requiring a two-thirds vote for concurrence on emergency-related amendments. Proponents argue that this requirement would safeguard against rash decisions and uphold the quality of legislative actions. Conversely, some opponents might contend that it could hinder the timely response to emergencies, resulting in unnecessary delays in legislation that urgently address critical issues. Overall, the resolution signifies an effort to refine the legislative process while also balancing the need for expedience in certain circumstances.