Open Meetings
Section 10-15-1 — every meeting of a public body but the legislature and courts is open
All meetings of any public body except the legislature and the courts are public meetings, and anyone who wishes may attend and listen. Public policy is not formed, and business is not conducted by vote, in a closed meeting. Reasonable efforts are made to accommodate audio and video recording.
Who handles this in New Mexico: legal aid programs, lawyer referral and the state offices, listed in the New Mexico directory.
No resolution, rule, ordinance or action of a policymaking body is valid unless taken at a meeting held as the act requires.
Violating the open meeting requirements is a misdemeanor punished by a fine of up to $500 for each offense.
Sources for this section (3)
- NMSA 1978, § 10-15-1 — Formation of public policy; procedures for open meetings; exceptions and procedures for closed meetings
- NMSA 1978, § 10-15-3 — Invalid actions; standing
- NMSA 1978, § 10-15-4 — Penalty
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of November 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Mexico attorney.