FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16 July 2019
Contact:
Alex Curtas, Director of Communications
New Mexico Office of the Secretary of State
505-469-2783
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver Releases Amendment to Campaign Finance Rule and Announces Public Input Process
All New Mexicans invited to provide public comment, participate in public hearing
SANTA FE – Today, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver released a draft amendment to the state’s Campaign Finance Rule and announced a public hearing in the state’s capital to gather community input about the draft amendment. The amendment was mandated by the passage of Senate Bill 3 during the 2019 New Mexico Legislative Session, which directed the Secretary of State to promulgate rules in order to implement the changes to the Campaign Reporting Act (“the Act”) contained in Senate Bill 3.
“The proposed amendment to the existing Campaign Finance Rule will give the public a better understanding of who is trying to influence our elections by providing more transparency and accountability in campaign finance reporting,” said Secretary Toulouse Oliver. “In order to make this amended rule work in the best possible way it can, I encourage every New Mexican to participate in this rulemaking process and to provide their comments and feedback.”
The purpose of the public hearing in Santa Fe is to allow members of the public an in-person opportunity to submit testimony and feedback on the proposed rule changes.
The purpose of the amendment to the rule is as follows:
Campaign Finance Rule (1.10.13 NMAC) –to provide clear guidance regarding the application and implementation of the provisions of the Act, while also providing for clear and specific guidance to the Secretary of State’s Office in administering and enforcing the law. This amendment provides clarifying language on the regulation of independent expenditure reporting, advertising, and legislative caucus committees.
The public hearing Secretary Toulouse Oliver will hold on the amendment will be held at the following time and place:
Public Hearing – Santa Fe
When: Friday, August 16, 2019 at 1:00pm
Where: State Capitol Room 322
491 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Click here for a copy of the draft amendment to the Campaign Finance Rule. All New Mexicans are invited to participate in the public hearing and to provide official comment, and the hearing is open to the media.
The public may also submit official comments on the draft amendment by sending them to Dylan Lange, Deputy Elections Director for the Secretary of State’s Office, in following manner:
- By Mail – Attn: Dylan Lange–Proposed Rule, Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State, 325 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe, NM 87501;
- By Email – Attn: Dylan Lange–Proposed Rule, sos.rules@state.nm.us; or,
- By Fax – Attn: Dylan Lange–Proposed Rule, (505) 827-8081.
The deadline to submit written comments by mail, email or fax is 5:00pm on Thursday, August 15, 2019. Written comments may also be submitted in person at the hearing. All written public comment will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website throughout the written comment period.