Bill > HB537

This bill amends the Governmental Conduct Act in New Mexico by adding new definitions and clarifying existing ones to better regulate political activities of government employees. It defines "political purpose" as supporting or opposing candidates or ballot propositions, and "public notice" as disclosing information in a transparent manner. The bill also defines "public resources" to include facilities, services, vehicles, property, or supplies paid for with public funds, as well as the time of public officers or employees during normal working hours. Importantly, it prohibits public officers and employees from using these public resources for any political purpose, with specific exceptions for elected officials making statements about ballot propositions that affect their duties, factual descriptions of measures that don't advocate for or against them, de minimis use of resources for communications about ballot propositions, and activities that are part of their normal job duties. The bill also clarifies that employees cannot be coerced into contributing to political funds or threatened with adverse employment actions based on their voting or political participation.