Constitutional Amendments & Bond Issues
Below are proposed constitutional amendments and bond questions that will be on all ballots statewide. Voters will be able to mark YES or NO on each proposed amendment and bond.
Constitutional Amendment #4, proposes to amend the NM constitution to provide legislators with pay not to exceed the median household income level. If this amendment passes, the annual amount legislators would receive to begin with is estimated to be $67,800 per year. This would be in addition to per diem and other benefits listed below.
Regional Comparison of State Legislative Per Diem,
Salary and Retirement
| State | Per Diem / Expense Reimbursement | Regular Session | Salary / Legislative Pay | Retirement / Pension* — 10 years | Retirement / Pension* — 20 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | $35/day Maricopa; $269.33/day outside Maricopa | 100 calendar days or more annually | $24,000/year | $ 9,600. | $19,200. |
| CO | $77/day metro; $277/day non-metro | 120 calendar days annually | House $47,561; Senate $43,977 or $47,561 depending on the starting term. | $11,890. | $23,781. |
| TX | $221/day | 140 calendar days in odd years | $7,200/year | $40,250. | $80,500. |
| UT | Expense reimbursement. | 45 calendar days annually | $301 per legislative day (~$13,545 for 45-day general session) | $ 3,984. | $ 7,968. |
| OK | $196/day for members >50 miles from Capitol with overnight stay | 110-117 calendar days annually | $47,500/year | $ 9,500. | $19,000. |
| NM | $247/day | 60 days in odd-numbered years; 30 days in even-numbered years | If HJR5 passes: salary based on the annual median household income. Est. salary $67,800. | $31,122. | $62,244. |
New Hampshire Comparison
New Hampshire: $200 per two-year term ($100/year equivalent) plus mileage reimbursement. NH legislators receive no per diem; no legislative pension; and have no legislative staff.
Important Notes
* Retirement/Pension figures are illustrative calculations using current base salaries or plan formulas. Actual benefits vary by individual service credit, contribution history, final average compensation, and plan tier. Newer legislators in AZ, UT, OK, and some others are generally in defined-contribution plans only and receive no fixed percentage-of-salary pension.
- New Mexico has the second-highest per diem, second-highest pension, and if HJR5 passes, would have the highest salary in the region.
- If HJR5 passes, New Mexico legislators would be paid a higher salary than some FT teachers and half of New Mexico households. While most legislators participate in interim committees, their base obligation to taxpayers is a 30-day or 60-day legislative session.
Full source links and verification notes are on the BTNM website.
