Legislation, Lobbying & Legal Resources

Prohibited Period – At a Glance

The Prohibited Period refers to the period of time before and during any session of the New Mexico State Legislature during which it is unlawful for certain elected officials, candidates for office, and their agents to knowingly solicit a contribution for any campaign or committee governed by the Campaign Reporting Act. The parties to whom the Prohibited Period applies are as follows:

1. a state legislator, the attorney general, the secretary of state, the state treasurer, the commissioner of public lands or the state auditor
2. a candidate for state legislator, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, commissioner of public lands or state auditor
3. any agent on behalf of the attorney general, the secretary of state, the state treasurer, the commissioner of public lands or the state auditor
4. any agent on behalf of a candidate for attorney general, the secretary of state, state treasurer, commissioner of public lands or state auditor

In a regular legislative session, the Prohibited Period begins on January 1 prior to the start of the session and lasts through the adjournment of the session.

In a special legislative session, the Prohibited Period begins after the proclamation declaring the special session has been issued and lasts through the adjournment of the session.

In the case of the following parties:

1. the governor or the lieutenant governor
2. any agent on the governor’s or the lieutenant governor’s behalf

The fundraising restrictions imposed by the Prohibited Period function are the same, but the duration of the Prohibited Period is longer.

In a regular legislative session, the Prohibited Period begins on January 1 prior to the start of the session and ends on the twentieth day following the adjournment of the session.

In a special legislative session, the Prohibited Period begins after the proclamation declaring the special session has been issued and ends on the twentieth day following the adjournment of the session.

Source: NMSA 1978, § 1-19-34.1