SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico’s legislature are the only state lawmakers in the country who aren’t paid a salary for their service, but voters might change that as a referendum on giving legislators a steady paycheck gains traction.
A Democratic-sponsored initiative to provide New Mexico legislators with regular salaries earned its first committee endorsement Friday, over the objections of Republicans in the legislative minority.
The proposed constitutional amendment would scrap a ban on legislative salaries and create an independent commission to set and adjust future pay for the state’s 112 legislators. Similar proposals have stalled in recent years.
Salary figures aren’t specified and would be determined later by a nine-member “citizens commission on legislative salaries.” Salaries would take effect as soon as July 2026.
Currently, New Mexico legislators do receive mileage reimbursements for travel and a daily stipend toward expenses like room and board during legislative sessions. Those who serve at least 10 years qualify for partial retirement benefits at a subsidized rate through a public employee pension fund.