Eliminate Governors Pocket Veto and Require Veto Explanations Amendment
New Mexico Ballot Measure - House Joint Resolution 2
Election: Nov. 3, 2026 (General)
Outcome: Pending
Categories:
Executive BranchGovernment Operations
Summary
The amendment would provide that bills automatically become law if the governor does not sign or veto them within three days during the legislative session or within 20 days for bills presented during the last three days of the legislative session.
Currently, the governor has the power to pocket veto legislation, which means that the governor effectively vetoes any bill not signed within the required timeframe. The governor has three days upon receiving the approved bill to sign or veto it during the legislative session. The governor has 20 days to act on bills presented during the last three days of the session. If the governor vetoes a bill, the state legislature can override the veto with a two-thirds supermajority vote during the special or next legislative session.
The constitutional amendment would also require the governor to provide a substantive explanation for a vetoed bill, in whole or in part, to the state legislature, regardless of whether it is in session. Currently, the governor is only required to explain while the legislature is in session.
The amendment would also change all references to the governor to gender-neutral language.
Measure Text
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 4, Section 22 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:
"A. Every bill passed by the legislature shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor for approval. If the governor approves, the governor shall sign it and deposit it with the secretary of state; if the governor disapproves, the governor shall veto it and return it to the house in which it originated to be entered at large upon the journal; and such bill shall not become a law unless thereafter approved by two-thirds of the members present and voting in
each house by yea and nay vote entered upon its journal. Any bill not returned by the governor within three days, Sundays excepted, after being presented to the governor, shall
become a law, whether signed by the governor or not, unless the legislature by adjournment prevent such return.
B. Every bill presented to the governor during the last three days of the session shall be approved or vetoed by the governor within twenty days after the adjournment and shall be by the governor immediately deposited with the secretary of state. Unless vetoed by the governor, such a bill passed by the legislature shall become a law.
C. The governor may in like manner approve or disapprove any part or parts, item or items, of any bill appropriating money, and such parts or items approved shall become a law, and such as are disapproved shall be void unless passed over the governor's veto.
D. Any veto of a bill in whole or in part by the governor shall include a substantive explanation for the veto. The explanation for the veto shall be returned with the bill to the house in which the bill
originated or deposited with the bill with the secretary of state, as herein provided."
Resources
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