Pinon Post (Jan. 5, 2021) – On Monday, Speaker of the New Mexico House Brian Egolf confirmed to KRQE News 13 that the 2021 Legislative Session will be “100% virtual for the public,” meaning the “Roundhouse will be closed to the public.”

Previously, legislators were discussing utilizing the Santa Fe Convention Center to accommodate “social distancing,” however, that appears not to be the case, according to one report.

“Speaker Egolf said they will be expanding the use of Zoom so people can participate remotely in the session. They will even have closed captioning for people hard of hearing,” said the report.

The move to go 100% virtual, however, will be the final call of the Legislative Council, but Egolf appears to have the votes.

Republican legislators responded to the news that was delivered to them via tweet, instead of the Speaker letting them know any other way. Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Catron, Socorro & Valencia Counties) wrote on Twitter, “So much for transparency!”