44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

RELATING TO BOARDS; PROHIBITING, RESTRICTING AND REQUIRING REPORTING OF CERTAIN GIFTS TO MEMBERS OF THE RETIREMENT BOARD; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. A new section of the Public Employees Retirement Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] RESTRICTIONS ON RECEIPT OF GIFTS--RESTRICTION ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS--REQUIRED REPORTING.--

A. Except for gifts of food or beverage given in a place of public accommodation, consumed at the time of receipt, not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) for a single gift and the aggregate value of which gifts may not exceed one hundred fifty dollars ($150) in a calendar year, neither a retirement board member nor an employee of the retirement board or association shall receive or accept anything of value directly or indirectly from a person who:

(1) has a current contract with the retirement board or association;

(2) is a potential bidder, offeror or contractor for the provision of services or personal property to the retirement board or association; or

(3) is authorized to invest public funds pursuant to state or federal law or is an employee or agent of such a person.

B. No person who is a candidate in a primary or general election for a position that qualifies the person for ex-officio membership on the retirement board, no member serving ex officio on the retirement board and no person who is a nominee for retirement board membership by election by some or all of the members of the association pursuant to the Public Employees Retirement Act shall accept anything of a value of more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) as a contribution to an ex-officio member's statewide campaign in a primary or general election or as a contribution to the campaign of a nominee for membership on the board as a member elected by all or some of the members of the association from a person who:

(1) has a current contract with the retirement board or association;

(2) is a potential bidder, offeror or contractor for the provision of services or personal property to the retirement board or association; or

(3) is authorized to invest public funds pursuant to state or federal law or is an employee or agent of such a person."

Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.