COMMISSION ON LEGISLATIVE SALARIES, CA

HJR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an independent nine-member citizen commission responsible for setting and adjusting New Mexico legislators' salaries. The commission would review salaries every four years, require a five-vote majority for changes, and submit final reports to the secretary of state by October 1, 2028 (and every four years after). This would replace the current method of setting legislative pay, with salaries taking effect in July following report submission. The bill also amends the constitution to specify that legislators receive per diem, mileage, and the commission-set salary as their sole compensation.