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Committee backs bill to raise marriage license fee to $55, directing funds to clerks and children's trust
Summary
Senate Bill 290 was given a due-pass recommendation by the committee. The bill raises the marriage license fee to $55 and allocates $15 to county general funds, $20 to the Children's Trust Fund, and $20 to county clerks' offices; the measure passed the committee by a 7-1 roll call vote.
The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee voted to give Senate Bill 290 a due-pass recommendation, approving a proposal to raise the statewide marriage license fee to $55 and earmark the increase for county clerks and child-protection programs.
Senate Bill 290 raises the marriage license fee to $55 and directs allocations as follows: $15 to the county general fund, $20 to the Children's Trust Fund, and $20 to county clerks. The sponsor told the committee the change will provide dedicated funding to county clerks, who previously received no portion of the marriage-license fee and have relied on county general funds to preserve aging records. "Many of the records in county clerks' offices throughout the state are getting very old, and we truly need to dedicate funding to preserve those records," the sponsor said.
Rosangela Ortiz, Santa Fe County deputy clerk and chair of the New Mexico clerks affiliates, testified the clerks support the bill. Supporters noted the Children's Trust Fund helps programs that prevent child abuse and provide services and mental-health care to victims and families.
Representative Block said he generally opposes fee increases but did not block the measure. The committee conducted a roll-call vote: Representative Anya Nornu (yes), Representative Block (no), Representative Borrego (yes), Representative Luhan (yes), Representative Mejia (yes), Representative Zamora (yes), the vice chair (yes), and the chairwoman (yes). The tally recorded in committee was 7 in favor and 1 opposed; the measure received a due-pass recommendation.
The sponsor responded to a question from the floor that marriage licenses do not expire. The bill proceeds to further consideration on the House floor.
