2026 HJR 5 Legislative Compensation, CA

CVNM Position:

Support

Priority:

CVNM Priority Vote

Year:

2026

Sponsors:

Cristina Parajón

Topics:

Effective Government

Legislative Info:

HJR 5 on nmlegis.gov »

Description

This resolution would amend the New Mexico constitution to allow for compensation for legislators. The salary would be set at the annual median household income of New Mexico. The salary cannot be raised unless the annual median income goes up, and the salary will go down if the annual median income goes down. The implementation of the salaries would not kick in until 2029. New Mexico is the last state in the Union to have an unpaid, volunteer citizen legislature. By paying legislators New Mexico will benefit from more ordinary, working New Mexicans having the ability to step up and represent their communities in the Roundhouse, which strengthens our democracy and greatly benefits civil society.

Outcome

Passed in the House (41-26) and in the Senate (23-19), and now goes to the people for ratification in the November 2026 election.