House Republicans sue to override session rules – By Matthew Reisen (Albuquerque Journal) / January 30 2021
Republican legislators in the state House are challenging the chamber’s plan to conduct much of this year’s session virtually from outside the Capitol.
Reps. Jim Townsend of Artesia, Rod Montoya of Farmington and Larry Scott of Hobbs filed a lawsuit Saturday over “unconstitutional” rule changes to the legislative session that allow House members to participate from outside the Capitol – even from home – and a separate ban limiting the public.
The lawsuit asks the state Supreme Court to issue a stay prohibiting the rules from being enforced until a final ruling on the petition.
House rules differ from those of the Senate, which ensure legislation from “the seat of government,” according to a House GOP news release issued by spokesman Matthew Garcia-Sierra.
