46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT; EXPANDING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE STATE POLICE MEMBER COVERAGE PLAN 1; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT ACT.

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

Section 1. Section 10-11-27 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 253, Section 27) is amended to read:

"10-11-27. STATE POLICE MEMBER COVERAGE PLAN 1--APPLICABILITY.--State police member coverage plan 1 is applicable to state police members who are not specifically covered by another coverage plan. The credited service of a state police member who has held the permanent rank of patrolman, [or] sergeant, lieutenant or captain and does not hold an exempt rank or who is assigned to the aircraft division as a pilot shall have actual credited service increased by twenty percent for the purposes of state police member coverage plan 1."

Section 2. A new Section 10-11-27.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"10-11-27.1. [NEW MATERIAL] LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.--The legislature finds that:

A. it is appropriate to recognize the professionalism and dedication of state police officers, who provide an essential service to the citizens of New Mexico;

B. it is appropriate to recognize the hazardous nature of the work performed by state police officers;

C. the spirit of what it takes to be a state police officer is personified by Sergeant Brent H. Bateman, who served with honor as a state police officer for twenty-two years. Sergeant Bateman became ill days after his retirement and passed away a short six months following retirement; and

D. the twenty percent credit towards actual service provided in state police member coverage plan 1 is dedicated to Sergeant Brent H. Bateman and all other officers who have served, and who do serve, as New Mexico state police officers."

Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2003.