About our Legislators

Our state legislature is composed of 42 state senators and 70 members of the House of Representatives—totaling 112 members.  Unlike Congress, all New Mexico legislators are elected from districts of similar population (as opposed to US Senators, who are apportioned two per state, regardless of population disparities among the states).

Citizen Legislature

We are one of very few states in the country still served by a “citizen legislature”.  This means that state legislators are not compensated, and generally have full-time occupations outside of their service as public officials.  Although New Mexico legislators receive a modest allowance for mileage and expenses for attending sessions and interim committee meetings, the state constitution prohibits any other compensation.

Sessions

While many other state legislatures are in session throughout the year, or for substantial periods at a time, New Mexico legislative sessions are some of the shortest in the country.  In odd-numbered years, legislators convene in mid-January for a “long” session—60 days.  Even-numbered years feature a “short” session of only 30 days; in short sessions, only budget matters and issues approved by the Governor can be considered.

Learn More

• Browse current legislators
• For an overview of how some legislators performed on conservation issues in 2011, see Green Deeds & Duds
• More information can be found on the official state legislative website: www.nmlegis.gov