League Policy Process

The New Mexico Municipal League (NMML) Board of Directors adopted a new League Policy Process at their meeting of February 28, 2025. The revised process streamlines how the NMML Statement of Municipal Policy and priorities for each legislative session are developed. 

The policy process results in two products: 

  • A Legislative Agenda, which focuses on targeted action the League intends to take at the upcoming legislative session. 
  • A Statement of Municipal Policy that represents consistent policy goals and positions that will guide our work every legislative session.

Policy Process Overview

  • Proposed legislative priorities are submitted through a Legislative Proposal Submission Form with a description of the proposed priority, to help ensure clear, targeted proposals.
  • Proposals submitted by a municipality must be endorsed by their governing body via the adoption of a resolution. Proposals submitted by a subsection must be endorsed by a vote of their members. 
  • Proposals should meet the following criteria:
    • Shared Interest – The proposal should be broadly relevant to NM municipalities.
    • Consensus – The proposal should have substantial support among League members.
    • Targeted Legislative Change – The proposal should propose a clear legislative action. 
    • Germane – Even-numbered years are 30-day legislative sessions. These sessions are limited to budgetary matters and those items placed on the governor’s agenda, or “call”, so proposals should be reflective of this. 
  • The League will develop a new legislative agenda each year, to keep priorities relevant. Priorities will not automatically carry over from year to year but can be resubmitted.

Policy Process Timeline

  1. Proposal Submission (June): Legislative Proposal Submission Forms are submitted by deadline specified by NMML Staff. Member municipalities shall include a resolution adopted by their governing body and meeting minutes of when adoption occurred. Subsections shall include a copy of the meeting minutes of when their membership voted in favor of the proposal. NMML staff can work with members and subsections to develop legislative proposals, as needed. 
  2. NMML Staff Review (June/July): NMML staff will review the proposal forms, follow up with proposing members or subsections as necessary and develop recommendations for the Policy Committee. For a 30-day legislative session, this review will include verification of whether a proposal is germane. 
  3. Policy Committee Review & Vote (June/July): Policy Committee convenes to vote on legislative proposals. The Policy Committee is open to any members who wish to sign up. The Policy Committee may be divided into subcommittees, depending on the number of attendees and the number of proposals to be considered. 
  4. Board Vote at Annual Business Meeting (August): The Board votes on legislative proposals recommended by the Policy Committee. 
  5. Approval of Legislative Priorities (October). If necessary, NMML staff will recommend a targeted list of legislative proposals to focus on during the upcoming legislative session. The Board will vote on the final legislative agenda at their October Board meeting. 
  6. Legislation Drafting & Bill Sponsor Selection (October - January): NMML staff will draft proposed legislation, as needed, and work with bill sponsors and other stakeholders. 
  7. Legislative Session & Advocacy (January): NMML staff will advocate for legislative priorities at the Capitol and engage members and subsections in advocacy and outreach efforts. 
  8. Legislative Recap (March/April): NMML staff will provide a legislative session summary and recap of outcomes.