New Mexico Register / Volume XXXIV, Issue 8 / April 25, 2023

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 the described rules below.

The purpose of this hearing is to obtain public input on amendments to the existing Voter Action Act rule to be codified as Part 1.10.27 NMAC.

A public hearing will be held on May 26, 2023, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the State Land Office, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe NM 87504. The public hearing allows members of the public an opportunity to submit data, testimony, and arguments in person on the proposed rule changes detailed below. All comments will be recorded by a court reporter and/or audio recording.

Authority: Section 1-2-1 NMSA 1978 and Section 1-19A-15 NMSA 1978

1.10.27 NMAC Voter Action Act

Purpose: The secretary of state shall adopt rules to ensure effective administration of the Voter Action Act (Section 1-19A-1 to 1-19A-17 NMSA 1978) pursuant to Section 1-19A-15 NMSA 1978. The rules shall include procedures for qualifications, certification and disbursement of revenues and return of unspent fund revenues; obtaining qualifying contributions; certification of candidates; collection of revenues; and return of fund disbursements and other money to the fund.

Summary of Full Text: The proposed amendment adds a new section to the existing rule, 1.10.27.12 NMAC, that clarifies the process for collecting qualifying contributions through electronic fund transfers.

Details for Obtaining a Copy of Rule and Submitting Oral or Written Comments: Copies of the proposed rule are available on the Office’s website at www.sos.nm.gov or can be obtained from the Elections Bureau & Ethics Division by calling (505) 827-3600 or emailing lindsey.bachman@sos.nm.gov. The proposed rule is also available on the New Mexico Sunshine Portal. Interested individuals may provide comments at the public hearing. Before the public hearing, written comments may be sent to Lindsey Bachman, Director of Legislative and Executive Affairs, via email at lindsey.bachman@sos.nm.gov, fax 505-827-8403, or by regular mail at Attn: Lindsey Bachman – proposed rule, The Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State, 325 Don Gaspar, Suite 300, Santa Fe, NM 87501. The deadline to receive written comment is May 25, 2023. All written public comments will be posted on the website throughout the written comment period at: www.sos.nm.gov.

Any person with a disability who needs 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 lindsey.bachman@sos.nm.gov (5) business days prior to the hearing.