Rep. Mimi Stewart's Campaign Finance Reform Bill Passes NM House

From the NM House Democratic Leadership:
On Monday House Bill 821a — Campaign Reporting Requirements, sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), passed the House of Representatives with a 51 to 16 vote. The bill is part of the comprehensive ethics and campaign reform package that has been presented by House Democrats based on the recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Ethics Reform. 

Rep. Stewart said, “I am pleased that this essential element of ethics reform received bi-partisan support today. The public has been asking us to enact laws like this one for years and it is our responsibility as the state legislature to do so. This bill is only one part of a comprehensive program that is designed to apply to all elected public officials. Other bills in the package will also be voted on this week. I hope that all of them pass.”

New Mexico is one of only five states that does not have any type of campaign contribution limits. HB 821a enacts four reforms that strengthen state campaign finance law. It places limits on campaign contributions that are consistent with and indexed to federal law. That limit is currently $2300 per donor, per candidate, per election. And it requires disclosure of every occupation and employer or business of a contributor of $100 or more.

The bill closes a loophole in current campaign reporting requirements in the category of “independent expenditure” for out-of-state political entities. Previously, out-of-state donor organizations had no reporting requirements at all. It also grants the subpoena power to the Secretary of State for investigations into possible violations of the Campaign Reporting Act.

Nine Republicans supported the Campaign Reporting Requirements legislation, while 16 Republicans voted against it. There was no Democratic opposition to the bill. Opponents questioned why the legislation was necessary since there haven’t been any ethics transgressions from House or Senate members in recent years. They asked if the bill would really change anything.

“A crook is a crook is a crook. And crooks will be dishonest and go around the law no matter what we legislate,” said Rep. Cathy McCoy (R-Cedar Crest).

Rep. Ken Martinez (D-Grants) said, “This bill is part of eight items of legislation that form a comprehensive package. This bill is about institutional integrity. It is not a response to a particular case of wrongdoing. People worry about money in politics with good reason. This package takes a huge step towards openness, fairness and integrity in our state government.”

Speaker of the House Ben Lujan (D-Nambé) pointed out that the bi-partisan taskforce that studied the ethics issues over the past year and recommended the bills in the ethics package acted unanimously. On the House floor he also urged a 100% vote in favor of the bill.

“We are serious about these initiatives becoming a reality. We need to assure our citizens that we are protecting the integrity of our democratic process and access to the process. It is my sincere hope that we can achieve this is a bipartisan manner. It is unfortunate that some are choosing not to support this effort,” Speaker Lujan said.

Editor's Note: The bill now moves to the NM Senate Judiciary Committee. Click for contact information for its members. If campaign finance reform is to be successful this year, it's up to citizens to push for it, especially on the Senate side where a considerable amount of opposition exists. Please call or email the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as your State Senator to urge their support for HB 821a, as well as the other parts of the ethics reform package.