AN ACT

RELATING TO COURTS; CREATING THE JUDICIAL COMPENSATION COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND SALARIES FOR JUDGES AND JUSTICES.

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

     Section 1. JUDICIAL COMPENSATION COMMISSION--CREATION--MEMBERSHIP--DUTIES.--

          A. The "judicial compensation commission" is created to recommend salaries for judges of the magistrate courts, metropolitan courts, district courts and courts of appeals and justices of the supreme court.

          B. The judicial compensation commission shall be composed of five members and one chairperson as follows:

                (1) the dean of the university of New Mexico school of law, who shall serve as chairperson and vote only in the event of a tie vote;

                (2) the president of the state bar of New Mexico, or the president's designee;

                (3) one member appointed by the governor;

                (4) one member appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate;

                (5) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

                (6) one member appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

          C. The initial appointee of the governor shall serve for three years, the initial appointees of the president pro tempore and the speaker of the house shall serve for two years and the initial appointee of the chief justice shall serve for one year. All subsequent appointments shall be made for three-year terms.

          D. The commission is administratively attached to the administrative office of the courts. Staff and meeting rooms shall be provided by the administrative office of the courts. The commission may employ experts to provide analysis and data upon which to base its recommendations.

          E. The commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson not less than annually. The meetings shall be open to the public.

          F. Members of the commission shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

          G. On or before December 1 of each year, the commission shall report to the legislative finance committee and the department of finance and administration its findings and recommendations on salaries for judges and justices.