Senators Jeff Steinborn And Mark Moores Introduce Bi-Partisan Bill Requiring Full Disclosure Of Lobbying Activity

Sen. Jeff Steinborn

U.S. SENATE News:

SANTA FE — Senators Jeff Steinborn (D) and Mark Moores (R) have introduced bi-partisan legislation requiring lobbyists to report all their lobbying activity on all legislation they work on or advocate for or against.

Senate Bill 218 would, for the first time, reveal the full range of companies and interest groups involved in trying to shape or stop legislation.

“One of the great mysteries in the legislative process is trying to figure out who is behind each piece of legislation and their motivation,” Sen. Steinborn said. “Not having this information hinders our ability to properly assess legislation and its impacts.  With this full disclosure these interests would come into clear focus to help citizens, legislators, and the Governor understand who would benefit or be impacted in advance of a bill being voted on or passed into law.”

“Transparency is the bedrock of good government, and this legislation would create a level playing field by bringing all factors involved in the legislative process into the light. It’s time New Mexico modernize its lobbying disclosure as other states have done, and pass this bill into law,” Sen. Moores said.

Sen. Steinborn also teamed up with Sen. Greg Schmedes (R) on Senate Bill 217, a measure requiring lobbyists to report their compensation from the companies or interest groups who hired them, and fully disclose the full amount of money spent to influence laws and policy.

“With the role of money in politics, it’s more important than ever that New Mexicans are able to see how much money corporations or organizations are spending to influence policy.  Current law shields lobbyists’ employers from having to report the huge amounts of money being spent to influence the legislative process,” Steinborn said.

“Dark money has no place in the people’s work here in the Roundhouse. This bill ensures transparency in the legislative process,” Sen. Schmedes said.

Both bills have been referred to the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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