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

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION; REQUIRING PARTICIPATION BY PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSIONERS; PROVIDING CONSEQUENCES.

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

Section 1. Section 8-8-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1998, Chapter 108, Section 1) is amended to read:

"8-8-1. SHORT TITLE.--[Sections 1 through 20 of this act] Chapter 8, Article 8 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Public Regulation Commission Act"."

Section 2. A new Section 8-8-19.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"8-8-19.1. [NEW MATERIAL] LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS--COMMISSIONERS' DUTIES.--The legislature finds that the duties of the public regulation commission are of such magnitude as to require investment of full attention of the commissioners on the regulatory tasks assigned to the commission by the constitution and statutes. The efforts necessary to regulate natural gas, pipeline safety, electricity production and transmission, telecommunications, motor carrier and rail transportation, emergency medical transportation and insurance are severe burdens requiring enormous investment of time in order to protect the public. The legislature further finds that technology provides generous opportunities for the commissioners to maintain contact with the residents of New Mexico, statewide, and to obtain residents' opinions on issues before the commission. As such, travel is not a necessary component of commissioners' responsibilities."

Section 3. A new Section 8-8-19.2 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"8-8-19.2. [NEW MATERIAL] COMMISSIONERS' DUTIES--COMPENSATION.--

A. Commissioners shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner that maintains public trust and shall be present in the offices of the commission at the seat of government no less than four full working days each week to receive full compensation pursuant to Section 8-1-1 NMSA 1978, unless attending public hearings of the commission outside the city of Santa Fe. Commissioners shall regularly participate in working hearings with appropriate staff so as to fully understand the complexity of issues brought for their decisions. Commissioners shall participate in all public hearings in which decisions of the commission are scheduled.

B. Failure to participate in commission business as required by this section shall result in proportionate reduction in compensation. Public expenditures shall be made only for the maintenance of commission offices in the capital, and there shall be no allowance or support for offices or staff outside the capital."