HOUSE BILL 350

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Al Park

FOR THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO COURTS; CREATING THE COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING COMMISSION.

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

     Section 1. COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING COMMISSION--CREATION--MEMBERSHIP.--

          A. The "court of appeals building commission" is created within the judicial branch. The court of appeals building commission shall be composed of the chief judge of the court of appeals; the chief clerk of the court of appeals; one member of the supreme court appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court; and two public members with architectural or engineering expertise appointed by the chief judge of the court of appeals.

          B. Each member of the court of appeals building commission shall qualify by taking the oath prescribed by the constitution of New Mexico for state officers. An appointed member shall hold office until there is a change in the appointing authority and the member's successor is appointed. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Members shall receive reimbursement as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance. No member shall be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract relating to the construction, equipment or maintenance of the court of appeals building, and any contract made in violation of this sentence is void.

     Section 2. COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING COMMISSION--ORGANIZATION.--The court of appeals building commission shall elect from its membership a chair, a vice chair and a secretary. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the commission and shall sign on behalf of the commission all contracts and necessary papers authorized by the commission. In the absence of the chair, the vice chair shall exercise the chair's duties. The secretary shall keep complete records of all commission business and shall approve all vouchers submitted to the department of finance and administration for the expenditure of funds available to the commission. Three members of the commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all actions of the commission shall be by a majority vote of members present.

     Section 3. COURT OF APPEALS BUILDING COMMISSION--DUTIES.--

          A. The court of appeals building commission has care, custody and control of the court of appeals building and its grounds, along with all court of appeals equipment, furniture and fixtures housed in the building. The court of appeals shall report and record all these assets as required by state audit rules.

          B. With respect to the property under the care, custody and control of the court of appeals pursuant to Subsection A of this section, the court of appeals building commission shall:

                (1) provide for the design, construction, maintenance, repair, cleaning, heating, cooling and lighting of that property; and

                (2) subject to legislative appropriation, hire employees as necessary and fix their compensation and terms of employment; provided that no compensation shall be paid to a person who is compensated by another agency of the state.

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