SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 5

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 10, SECTION 2 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ALLOW A COUNTY'S VOTERS TO CHOOSE TO CHANGE OR ELIMINATE TERM LIMITS FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS.

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

     Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 10, Section 2 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. In every county all elected officials shall serve four-year terms, subject to the provisions of [Subsection B of] this section.

          [B. In those counties that prior to 1992 have not had four-year terms for elected officials, the assessor, sheriff and probate judge shall be elected to four-year terms and the treasurer and clerk shall be elected to two-year terms in the first election following the adoption of this amendment. In subsequent elections, the treasurer and clerk shall be elected to four-year terms.

          C.] B. To provide for staggered county commission terms, in counties with three county commissioners, the terms of no more than two commissioners shall expire in the same year; and in counties with five county commissioners, the terms of no more than three commissioners shall expire in the same year.

          [D.] C. All county officers, after having served two consecutive four-year terms, shall be ineligible to hold any county office for two years thereafter, unless this limitation is changed in accordance with the provisions of Subsection D of this section.

          D. The board of county commissioners, by majority vote, may pass a resolution to submit to the voters of that county a proposal to change the term limits imposed by Subsection C of this section. The proposal may provide that the county either:

                (1) eliminate the provision making county officials ineligible to hold any county office for two years after serving two consecutive terms; or

                (2) increase the number of consecutive terms all county officers may serve before becoming ineligible to hold any county office for two years.

          E. A proposal to change term limits shall be submitted to the registered voters of the county at the next general election following approval of the resolution. If a majority of those voting approves the proposal, county officers shall serve and be elected accordingly."

     Section 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

- 3 -