HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 01

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Ted Hobbs

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 11, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSIONERS.

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

     Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 11, Section 1 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

     "The "public regulation commission" is created. The commission shall consist of five members [elected] appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate from districts provided by law for staggered four-year terms beginning on January 1 of the year following their [election] appointment; provided that those [chosen at the] first [general election] appointed after the adoption of this section shall immediately classify themselves by lot, so that two of them shall hold office for two years and three of them for four years. [and further provided that, after serving two terms, members shall be ineligible to hold office as a commission member until one full term has intervened.] Commissioners shall at minimum have four years of education or experience in regulatory law and affairs. Commissioners shall be compensated as determined by law and may receive per diem and mileage for travel from their districts to Santa Fe as provided by law. The office of the public regulation commission shall be located in Santa Fe. No commissioner or [candidate] nominee for the commission shall accept anything of value from a person or entity whose charges for services to the public are regulated by the commission."

     Section 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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