The existing webcam in the back of the Senate chamber. (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
Two pieces of legislation that would expand webcasting are on the Senate calendar today.
Senate Resolution 1, sponsored by Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, is No. 11 on today’s calendar. House Joint Memorial 15, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, is No. 66.
Sanchez’s resolution would expand webcasting by allowing the installation of more than one camera on the Senate floor to give viewers a more complete view of the chamber. And Steinborn’s memorial would direct Legislative Council Service to begin webcasting interim committee meetings, except where technological barriers prevent it.
One other webcasting resolution was introduced in the Senate – Senate Resolution 4, sponsored by Eric Griego, D-Albuquerque, which would expand webcasting to include Senate committees – but the bill is languishing in the Senate Rules Committee without having even been scheduled for a hearing.
Griego intends to propose that his resolution be added to Sanchez’s as an amendment. There was an incident on Sunday over that when Sanchez brought his resolution up for debate but Griego wasn’t present.
Sanchez, who controls the Senate calendar, has said his resolution “could” come up again before the session ends Thursday at noon.