Committee advances constitutional measure to allow legislator compensation

Representative Patahone introduced House Joint Resolution 5, which would place before voters a change to the state constitution permitting legislative compensation tied to the state median household income. Sponsor and witnesses framed the proposal as a way to reduce structural economic barriers that limit who can serve in the legislature.

Advocacy organizations including Common Cause New Mexico, NM Native Vote, NM Voters First, the League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women testified in support, arguing that compensation would make legislative service more accessible to working families, rural residents and young people and would increase representative diversity.

Committee members asked procedural questions about the mechanism (median-income linkage vs. salary commission), whether salaries would be prorated for session length, and whether legislators would still be allowed outside employment (the sponsor confirmed outside jobs would still be allowed). Representative McQueen urged consideration of alternate mechanisms such as a salary commission. The sponsor noted the mechanism adjusts every four years to the state’s economic performance and pointed to a US Census–based median household income figure of roughly $67,000 (2024), adjusted for inflation to about $64,000 in sponsor remarks.

Representative Romero moved a due pass on HJR5 as amended; Representative Abeyta seconded. On roll call the committee advanced the resolution by a 7–3 vote.

What’s next: As a constitutional amendment resolution, HJR5 would proceed to the House floor and, if passed there, ultimately go to the ballot for voter approval.