NMSA 1-19-26.5. Political committees; acknowledgment of responsibilities;

1-19-26.5. Political committees; acknowledgment of responsibilities; penalty. A. Beginning on July 1, 2021, for all new political committees registering with the secretary of state, the treasurer for the political committee shall submit an electronically signed statement acknowledging the political committee's responsibilities on a form prescribed by the secretary of state within ten days of registering the political committee. The signed acknowledgment statement serves as notification of the responsibilities of the political committee to comply with the financial reporting prescribed in the Campaign Reporting Act and the potential personal liability of the treasurer for penalties assessed against the political committee. B. The secretary of state shall notify the political committee of any individual who has failed to submit the acknowledgment statement. Failure to return the acknowledgment statement is a violation of this section for which a fine of one hundred dollars ($100) may be assessed against the political committee. This section also applies to individuals named in an updated or amended registration who have not previously submitted an acknowledgment statement for the political committee. C. For all political committees already registered with the secretary of state prior to July 1, 2021, the secretary of state shall notify the principal officer and treasurer of record requiring the treasurer to submit an acknowledgment form required in Subsection A of this section. If the political committee does not respond to the request made by the secretary of state or disputes current responsibility for the political committee, the political committee shall not raise or spend any funds until the registration is amended and the acknowledgment form has been signed. D. If there are already fines accrued against a political committee previously registered with the secretary of state, the treasurer of record shall sign the acknowledgment statement accepting personal liability from that date forward. Outstanding fines are still due unless the secretary of state is compelled to file a petition in court to have the fines dissolved. History: Laws 2021, ch. 109, § 18.