Feed bill goes to the governor

Gov. Susana Martinez will get her first bill of the session — one she is almost-certain to sign.

The state Senate passed House Bill 1, the “feed bill” on Thursday morning. The House passed the bill on Wednesday. This is the bill that pays for the legislative session, from paying legislators’ per diems and staff salaries to printing costs and the electricity bill.

In all, the bill appropriates nearly $9 million for the legislative session.

The bill is always the first to be introduced in the House and passed by both chambers. The session itself will likely cost less than the $8.6 million price tag.

Any money that is leftover would go into a reserve legislative account that helps pay for special sessions.

The bill also includes funds for year-round operations like interim committee hearings.