Handbook·State government

How to testify before the New Mexico legislature

State page·Verified 2026-07-10

The mechanics of testifying are in the general guide. This page covers what is specific to New Mexico.

How New Mexico does it

New Mexico's legislative committees take public input mainly through live virtual participation rather than a pre-registration portal. The agenda for each meeting, posted under "Committees" or "What's Happening" on nmlegis.gov, states whether public comment will be allowed and provides a Zoom link. To speak, join the Zoom webinar under your real name, stay muted, and use the "raise hand" feature only when the chair opens the comment period. The chair then announces the time limit per speaker and the speaking order and unmutes each speaker in turn. Time limits vary by committee and meeting. There is no fixed statewide limit, so confirm with the committee or at /engage. Because time is limited, not everyone who signs up is guaranteed a turn. Written comments can be emailed directly to the committee or to individual legislators at any point, which is often the most reliable way to get a position on the record if live testimony isn't practical. All committee meetings and floor sessions are livestreamed.

New Mexico's short, alternating session calendar compresses the window to act: 30 days in even years (2026, largely budget and governor-designated topics) and 60 days in odd years (2027, open to any subject). Check the committee calendar frequently since hearing schedules can shift day to day.

Deadlines and numbers

  • 2026 session: 30 days, January 20 to February 19, 2026 (noon to noon).
  • 2027 session: 60 days, January 19 to March 20, 2027.
  • No advance sign-up deadline for live comment. Registration happens in real time via Zoom "raise hand" during the meeting.
  • Technical support line for virtual comment issues: (505) 986-4685.

Where to go