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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Begaye DATE TYPED: 03/03/01 HB HJR-20
SHORT TITLE: Abolish Elected Position of County Clerk, CA SB
ANALYST: Woodlee


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
NFI NFI NFI NFI NFI NFI



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)





SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Attorney General



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Joint Resolution 20 proposes a constitutional amendment that would abolish the election position of County Clerk.



Significant Issues



The joint resolution amends Article 6, Section 22 of the New Mexico Constitution to strike the provision that a county clerk is to be elected. In addition, the joint resolution amends Article 10, Section 2 of the New Mexico Constitution to strike reference to the elected terms of county clerks. Also, the resolution indicates that upon adoption of the proposed amendment by the people, the county clerk position shall not be on the ballot beginning with the general election of 2002. Elected county clerks may fill out the remainder of their terms.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



There is no appropriation or significant fiscal implication associated with this joint resolution.





OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



According to the Attorney General's Office, the amendment does not eliminate the position of county clerk. As amended, Article 6, Section 22 would still refer to county clerks. The proposed amendment does not specify how a county clerk position would be filled.



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