Lawmakers Pass Bill To Pay For 60-Day Session

A measure to pay for operations of the Legislature is heading to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

The bill provides $8.6 million for expenses of the legislative session — about 3 percent more than what was allocated for the last 60-day session in 2011. It's about $2 million higher than what was actually spent two years ago.

Legislative sessions typically cost less than what is appropriated. Leftover money goes into a reserve account.

The measure provides $24 million for year-round operations of the Legislature, including permanent committees such as the Legislative Finance Committee. That's up nearly $4 million from the current budget year. Lawmakers say the increase is for higher costs such as health insurance and pension contributions.

The bill won final approval Thursday when it passed the Senate unanimously.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.