The Legislative branch is the largest of the branches, with Representatives and Senators introducing legislation that they have researched and drafted themselves. These bills can reflect the personal beliefs of the students and the changes that they want to see made on the state level. 

In the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House chairs the general session and committee chairs oversee committee activity throughout the State Conference. In the Senate, the Lt. Governor chairs the general session and sets the docket of discussion. 

Delegates are expected to write their bill with a partner, but are not required to. At the conference, delegates present their bills first in a small committee of 8-12 delegates, then (assuming it passes) in front of the whole chamber (70 or 40 delegates). This process continues to the other chamber if a bill passes it's inital chamber. 

The Process of presenting a bill consists of a 2 minute opening statement, 3 minutes of non-debatable technical questions, 10 minutes of a Pro-Con Speech period, and a final 2 minute closing statement. After that process is completed voting commences. 

Chamber = House or Senate

The judicial program in the New Mexico Youth and Government mirrors the appellate court which is the second string of courts above the district courts. The Chief Justice of the current session selects or creates a case about a local event that has passed through district courts and was then appealed to our court by either the defendant or the prosecution because they did not agree that the ruling was appropriate. 

Delegates serve as attorneys either in pairs or alone, and take turns arguing both sides of the case and serving as a justice questioning attorneys. Each team is required to write and submit at least one judicial brief but it is recommended that they write two; one for each side of the case to ensure that they are well prepared for arguments!

Delegates must apply for this branch and each school is limited to no more than 2 delegates. 

Delegates may apply to be a journalist who travels across each branches and writes articles for the daily delegate, a photographer or a videographer both of whom capture the branches in action for the media presentation, and social media where they hop on the latest trends and directly interact with delegates to record videos for social media.   

Delegates must apply and be interviewed for this branch

Delegates participate in the Governor’s Cabinet and act as advisors to the governor and other members of the executive branch. Delegates assist the governor and other elected officers to make the conference run smoothly and make decisions about the passage of legislation.  Each Delegate should apply for the position for which they are most knowledgeable in (ie Secretary of education for Delegates knowable on education issues).

Delegates may also apply to participate in the Attorney General's Cabinet, which reviews bills before the Legislature for Constitutionality. 

Delegates must apply for this branch, and be willing to devote extra time pre-conference (January - March)

The Task Force for New Mexico Youth & Government is an opportunity for delegates to investigate a complex issue and make a recommendation leading into the annual high school conference. This group will collaborate virtually on researching and developing a legislative solution on a single issue. Task Force is open to any Youth & Government delegate in grades 8-12. This opportunity is especially recommended for 8th graders, freshman, first year students, and/or students who seek more support and guidance in selecting a branch for the annual high school state conference.