AN ACT

RELATING TO THE PAROLE BOARD; INCREASING THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PAROLE BOARD FROM NINE TO FIFTEEN.

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

     Section 1. Section 31-21-24 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1975, Chapter 194, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "31-21-24. PAROLE BOARD--MEMBERS--APPOINTMENT--TERMS--QUALIFICATIONS--COMPENSATION--ORGANIZATION.--

          A. The "parole board" is created, consisting of fifteen members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.

          B. The terms of the members of the parole board shall be six years. To provide for staggered terms, five members shall be appointed every two years. Members serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified.

          C. Members of the parole board may be removed by the governor as provided in Article 5, Section 5 of the constitution of New Mexico. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term.

          D. Members of the parole board shall be persons qualified by such academic training or professional experience as is deemed necessary to render them fit to serve as members of the board. No member of the board shall be an official or employee of any other federal, state or local government entity.

          E. Members of the parole board shall receive per diem and mileage as provided for nonsalaried public officers in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

          F. The governor shall designate one member of the parole board to serve as chair, who in addition to other duties shall coordinate with the corrections department in the furnishing of services pursuant to Section 9-3-11 NMSA 1978.

          G. A parole may be granted, denied or revoked by a quorum of two on a panel consisting of three parole board members appointed on a rotating basis by the chair of the board."

     Section 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION.--

          A. Members of the parole board serving on July 1, 2005 may continue to serve until their terms expire and their successors have been appointed and qualified.

          B. Of the six additional members of the parole board to be appointed pursuant to the provisions of this act, two shall serve an initial term of two years, two shall serve an initial term of four years and two shall serve an initial term of six years. Thereafter, all members shall serve six-year staggered terms.

     Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.

HB 695

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