SENATE BILL 537

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Steven P. Neville and Peter Wirth

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION; ALLOWING QUALIFYING CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES TO BE COMPLETED IN PERSON OR ONLINE AND TO BE ENDORSED BY A UNIVERSITY, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OR TRADE ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY IN AN AREA RELEVANT TO THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 8-8-3.2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2013, Chapter 64, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "8-8-3.2. CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMISSIONERS.--

          A. [Beginning July 1, 2013] A commissioner shall

complete:

                (1) an ethics certificate course provided in person or online by a New Mexico public post-secondary educational institution in the first twelve-month period after taking office and at least one two-hour ethics course in each subsequent twelve-month period that the commissioner serves in office; and

                (2) at least thirty-two hours of continuing education relevant to the work of the commission in each twelve-month period that the commissioner serves in office. Continuing education courses may be completed in person or online and shall be endorsed by the national association of regulatory utility commissioners, by a university, nonprofit organization or trade organization recognized nationally in an area relevant to the work of the commission or by the relevant licensing or professional association for a qualifying area of study for degree holders pursuant to this section.

          B. A commissioner shall be responsible for having the endorsing organization submit certification of completion of the hours of education required pursuant to Subsection A of this section to the commission's chief of staff.

          C. As an exception to Section 8-1-1 NMSA 1978, if a commissioner fails to comply with the education requirements in Subsection A of this section by the last day of a twelve-month period, the commissioner's compensation for performing the duties of the office shall be withheld by the commission until the requirements for the preceding twelve-month period or periods have been met."