RELATING TO LABOR; CREATING AN EQUAL PAY TASK FORCE.

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

Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--EQUAL PAY TASK FORCE--MEMBERSHIP--PURPOSE--REPORT.--

A. By July 1, 2001, the governor shall appoint an "equal pay task force" to operate from July 1, 2001 to December 1, 2002. The task force shall consist of ten members as follows:

(1) three representatives of business, from names submitted by business organizations and trade associations;

(2) two representatives of labor, from names submitted by labor unions;

(3) two representatives of organizations whose objectives include the elimination of pay disparities between men and women or minorities and nonminorities and that have undertaken advocacy, educational or legislative initiatives in pursuit of those objectives, from names submitted by those organizations; and

(4) three persons from higher education or research institutions who have experience and expertise in the collection and analysis of data concerning pay disparities.

B. The task force members shall represent a geographic balance within the state.

C. The task force members shall represent a balance of males and females.

D. The governor shall name the chairman of the equal pay task force and the members may name such other officers as they deem necessary. Vacancies on the task force shall be filled by appointment by the governor. Members of the task force may be reimbursed for per diem and mileage expenses as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

E. The equal pay task force shall:

(1) study the extent of wage disparities, both in the public and private sectors, between men and women and between minorities and nonminorities;

(2) study the factors that cause or tend to cause wage disparities, including segregation between men and women and between minorities and nonminorities across and within occupations and professions; payment of lower wages for female-dominated occupations; child-rearing responsibilities; and education and training;

(3) study the consequences of such disparities on the state's economy and on families; and

(4) develop actions, including legislation, that are likely to lead to the elimination and prevention of wage disparities.

F. Staff for the equal pay task force shall be provided by the labor department. Other state agencies shall assist the task force as requested.

G. The equal pay task force shall make periodic reports to the legislative finance committee and other appropriate interim committees. The task force shall present its final report to the governor and the legislature by December 15, 2002. The report shall include the task force's recommendations, including proposed legislation, to eliminate and prevent wage disparities between men and women and between minorities and nonminorities.

HB 390

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