Start by researching topics that you think should be law in New Mexico. You can research existing New Mexico statutes at this website: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/en/nav.do

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Follow this template for writing and preparing your bill:

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2024 New Mexico YMCA Model Legislature

Senate Bill No. (#)

INTRODUCED BY: Senator (Name), Representative (Name)

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REPRESENTING: (School)

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REFERRED TO: (Committee)

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AN ACT TO

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Shortly explains the point of a bill within a sentence starting with the above title, “AN ACT TO.”

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

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Section 1: SHORT TITLE

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This section will be the title of your bill.

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Section 2: PURPOSE

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This section of a bill explains the problem your bill is addressing. Here you will use data and facts as evidence to support the need of the bill. This section does not need to contain all of the material gathered about the issue but should contain the most important and substantial information.

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Section 3: DEFINITIONS

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This section defines any words or abbreviations that are used in a bill that other delegates may not be aware of. Examples of possible definitions may include types of taxes, current laws or acts, or terms that are not used regularly.

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Section 4: MAIN PROVISIONS

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This section is the main area of the bill and is where the author(s) outline every guideline and procedure that will go into effect if the bill is passed. Because this is the section where you are creating, changing, or removing a law, it should be the most thought-out and thorough section of your bill.

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Section 5: APPROPRIATIONS

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This section specifically covers the issue of money. The Appropriations section discusses how much money will be needed, where it will come from, and what possible revenue will be put towards if it is needed to support the main provisions of the bill.

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Section 6: PENALTY CLAUSE

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This section will specify the consequences of individuals, businesses, or companies if the guidelines of the main provisions are not followed.

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Section 7: EFFECTIVE DATE

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This section identifies when the bill will go into effect if it passes First Committee, Senate, House, and the Governor signs it into law. This can be a specific date or certain amount of days after its passage. The bill will automatically go into effect 90 days after passage if the date is not indicated in the bill (except for general appropriation bills, which are enacted immediately). Any act necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety, could take effect immediately but therefore must be passed by a two-thirds majority (this is called DECLARING AN EMERGENCY and must be stated as such).