New Mexico Register / Volume XXX, Issue 13 / July 16, 2019

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

The Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State (“Office”) hereby gives notice that the Office will conduct a public hearing on amendments to the campaign finance rule that is currently codified in Part 1.10.13 NMAC - Campaign Finance. The public hearing will be held at the State Capitol Room 322, 491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501, on Friday, August 16, 2019, starting at 1:00 pm. Every effort will be made to ensure that this hearing will be live streamed on the Office’s website. The public hearing allows members of the public an opportunity to submit data, testimony, and arguments in person on the proposed amendments to the rule.

Authority: This rule is authorized by Sections 1-2-1 and 1-19-26.2 NMSA 1978, of the Campaign Practices Act, (“Act”), which authorizes the Office to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to implement and provide uniform effective procedures and regulations to enable the provisions of the Act. Further, Senate Bill 3 (2019), mandated the Office, in consultation with the Attorney General, to promulgate rules to implement the amendatory provisions of the Act.

1.10.13 - Campaign Finance

Purpose: The purpose of this amendment is to provide clear guidance regarding the application and implementation of the provisions of the Act to affected parties, while also providing for clear and specific guidance to the Office in administering and enforcing the law. This amendment provides clarifying language on the regulation of independent expenditure reporting, advertising, and legislative caucus committees.

Summary of Full Text: These proposed amendments reflect the changes to the Act based on the passage of Senate Bill 3 (2019). The proposed amendment corrects and clarifies portions of Section 27 relating to the handling of contribution limits collected during primary and general election reporting cycles. The amendment further clarifies and defines the regulation and registration requirements for the newly created legislative caucus committees. Section 11 reflects the changes in law relating to the reporting of independent expenditures. Finally, the rule clarifies language relating to advertising.

Details for Obtaining a Copy of Rules and Submitting Oral or Written Comments: Copies of the proposed rule are available on the Office’s website at www.sos.state.nm.us or can be obtained from the Bureau of Elections by calling (505) 827-3600 or emailing sos.rules@state.nm.us. Interested individuals may provide comments at the public hearing and/or submit written comments to Dylan Lange, Deputy Elections Director via email at sos.rules@state.nm.us, or Dylan.Lange@state.nm.us, fax (505) 827-8081, or by regular mail at Attn: Dylan Lange – proposed rule, The Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State, 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Written comments must be received no later than 5:00 pm on the date prior to the hearing. All written public comment will be posted on the website throughout the written comment period at: www.sos.state.nm.us.

Any person with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact (505) 827-3600 or email Dylan.Lange@state.nm.us five (5) business days prior to the hearing.