Politicians frequently preach about the need for citizens to participate in the processes of government, but here in New Mexico they don't make it easy for average people to observe the proceedings.

The parking is next to impossible, the meetings rarely start on time, and the agendas frequently are obsolete before they even are printed.

And if you do manage to make it to the Capitol in time for a committee meeting, if the bill you're following is controversial, there's a good chance the tiny committee rooms will fill up and you'll be left standing in the hall.

Parking is always a problem while the Legislature is in session because almost everyone but legislators loses his or her assigned underground-parking space. And don't even think of trying to sneak in and grab a lawmaker's space. Security is friendly, but firm.

Most parking spaces in the modest surface lot on the east side of the Capitol are assigned to legislative staff members during the session. There is the massive PERA Building parking lot across Old Santa Fe Trail, but even that lot frequently fills up during sessions.

A couple of years ago, the Legislature passed a bill to authorize the General Services Department to spend bond proceeds to plan, design, construct and equip a parking structure near the Capitol. But another year has gone by and still no ground has been broken for any parking structure.

Some lawmakers apparently have become sensitive to complaints about the small committee rooms. Last month, legislative leaders discussed a $30 million proposal for an addition to the Capitol. However, some legislators admitted it would be hard to sell such an expensive plan to the public.

Here are a few basic rules for those who want to try to follow the New Mexico Legislature at close range:

u Don't expect the House or Senate or any of their committees to start anywhere near the scheduled time, especially in the hectic final days of the session. There's no one to blame. If a floor session in the House or Senate goes into overtime, the committees of that body will start later. And if either political party in either house decides to meet in caucus to plan strategy, even more delays can be expected.

u Just because a bill you're following is sixth on the agenda, don't expect it to be heard after the fifth item. Items can be moved up or down at the pleasure of the committee. Sometimes a committee will hear a bill out of order as a courtesy to the sponsor, who might have to rush to another committee meeting. Don't expect them to hear your bill out of order as a courtesy to you.

u Finally, at floor sessions and committee meetings, please observe decorum. The public is not allowed to applaud or heckle.

u In an effort to ease the parking shortage, the city of Santa Fe and the state Transportation Department each year runs free shuttle buses between the Capitol and state offices for state employees. The schedule can be found at http://dot.state.nm.us/upload/images/Schedule2008.pdf

But be forewarned: As the session gets rolling, many committee meetings and floor sessions will go long beyond the last bus out in the early evening, especially in the final days of the session. Don't get stranded.

Contact lawmakers by calling the legislative switchboard: 986-4300.

Read bills, committee schedules and lists of members on the Legislature's Web site: legis.state.nm.us.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com.