Q&A: What to expect when visiting the state Capitol

This year’s 30-day legislative session began at noon Tuesday at the state Capitol. Here are things to know if you plan to attend before it wraps up Feb. 15.

Where can I park? There is a free multistoried parking structure just behind the state Capitol. The entrance is off Galisteo Street, and it’s easy to find.

Can I bring my dog or gun? No to dogs, unless they are assistance dogs. No to guns or any other kind of weapon; lawmakers voted to prohibit people from bringing them in (except for law enforcement personnel) several years ago. Depending on what time you get to the Capitol, expect a long line as visitors have to first go through a security checkpoint at both the east and west entrances.

What if my stomach starts growling? The What the Truck catering service runs The Capitol Cafe from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. The cafe is located on the west side of the main, ground-floor level.

Where can I find legislation that lawmakers have filed? Visit nmlegis.gov/ and click on the Legislation link for bills introduced by members of the House of Representatives. It will provide options for finding a House bill based on number, sponsor or topic.

For bills introduced by members of the Senate, go to the main webpage and look for the box near the bottom of the page that says Index of 2024 Senate Prefiles. These are listed in order of being introduced and are not as easy to search or navigate as the House bills. Incidentally, lawmakers have until Jan. 31 to introduce bills.

What if I want to watch this shindig from home? Visit nmlegis.gov/ and click on the Webcast link. The Legislature is pretty good at streaming events live.

I’m sure everything starts on time, right? You gotta be kidding. OK, the answer is: Sometimes, but not usually. If you are following a particular bill in a particular committee or floor hearing, do not assume that just because it is at the top of the agenda it will be heard first. Likewise, if your bill of interest is listed as the fifth on the agenda, be ready for it to be moved up or down the list at a legislator’s whim. And there are any number of reasons a bill might not get heard at all — perhaps the sponsor asked for a delay or the committee chair moved it back a day or the committee ran out of time to consider it.

Where’s the complaint department? The Capitol doesn’t really have one, but it does have a reception desk, a lost and found office, a mailroom and sometimes a shoeshine guy. Plus, there’s a collection of art on the walls throughout the building, which attracts tourists and art lovers. Our experience has been that everyone who works there, from the security detail to the cleaning crew to the food folks to the sergeants-at-arms and legislative aids, are pretty darned nice.

When does this year’s session end? At noon Feb. 15. And no, there is no provision for it to go into overtime, though the governor or the Legislature as a body can call for special sessions to address unresolved business, as has been done in the past with such issues as redistricting and legalizing cannabis.