46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO INSURANCE; PROVIDING FOR AN ATTORNEY POSITION IN THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 59A-2-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1984, Chapter 127, Section 22, as amended) is amended to read:

"59A-2-4. STAFF.--

A. With the commission chief of staff's approval, the superintendent may designate an employee of the insurance division as chief deputy superintendent who shall be acting superintendent when the office of superintendent is vacant or the superintendent is unable to perform the duties of that office because of mental or physical disability.

B. The superintendent may employ an attorney to advise him on matters that come before the insurance division. The attorney shall be considered the superintendent's attorney for purposes of ex parte consultations in Section 12-8-13 NMSA 1978."

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the insurance division of the public regulation commission for expenditure in fiscal year 2004 to employ an attorney for the superintendent of insurance. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.