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Two bills were introduced in New Mexico earlier this year that would require nonprofits that engage in nonpartisan voter registration activities to register as political committees and to make the requisite contribution and expenditure disclosures. Action on both bills has been postponed indefinitely.
One proposal (SB 247) would have specifically applied to all 501(c)(4)s and to any organization that registers voters. The other proposal (SB 535) would have required organizations that “directly or indirectly” attempt to influence an election to register as a political committee. The New Mexico Attorney General’s Office cautioned the legislature that both bills would likely result in new litigation in addition to the two pending lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the existing statute.
A third bill (HB 891) would have added reporting requirements for “electioneering communications” to the existing charitable solicitations statute. Action on this bill has also been postponed indefinitely.
Last Updated: May 22, 2009
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