SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 9

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM FUNDING LEVEL FOR OPERATIONS OF THE STATE AUDITOR, INCLUDING THE CONDUCTING OF FINANCIAL AUDITS AND INVESTIGATIONS OF THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THAT RECEIVE AND EXPEND PUBLIC MONEY.

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 5 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:

     "In order to provide adequate funding necessary for the state auditor to independently perform the duties of office without undue influence, an amount equal to at least two-tenths of one percent of the annual appropriations in the general appropriation act shall be appropriated each fiscal year to the state auditor. Appropriations to the state auditor shall fund the operation of the office, including the conduct of financial audits, special audits and investigations of the financial affairs and transactions of government agencies that receive or expend public money and such other duties as provided by law. The amount of the appropriation to the state auditor shall be based on the amount of general fund appropriations in the general appropriation act for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the appropriation is being made."

     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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