SENATE BILL 73
49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010
INTRODUCED BY
Timothy M. Keller
AN ACT
CREATING A JOINT INTERIM LEGISLATIVE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE CREATED--TERMINATION.--The "higher education study committee" is created as a joint interim legislative committee. The committee shall function from the date of its appointment until the first day of December prior to the first session of the fiftieth legislature.
Section 2. MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES.--
A. The higher education study committee shall be composed of eight members. The New Mexico legislative council shall appoint four members from the house of representatives and four members from the senate. At the time of making the appointment, the legislative council shall designate the chair and vice chair of the committee.
B. Members shall be appointed from each house so as to give the two major political parties in each house the same proportionate representation on the committee as prevails in each house; however, in no event shall either party have less than one member from each house on the committee. At the request of the committee chair, members may be removed from the committee by the New Mexico legislative council for nonattendance according to council policy. Vacancies on the committee, however caused, may be filled by the legislative council, or the legislative council may reduce the size of the committee by not making replacement appointments and, in such case, need not readjust party representation.
C. No action shall be taken by the committee if a majority of the total membership from either house on the committee rejects such action.
Section 3. DUTIES.--
A. After its appointment, the higher education study committee shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan and budget for the ensuing interim. The work plan and budget shall be submitted to the New Mexico legislative council for approval.
B. Upon approval of the work plan and budget by the legislative council, the committee shall examine the statutes, constitutional provisions, regulations and court decisions governing the state institutions of higher learning created in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico, including:
(1) organizational, governance and administrative structures and how they affect academic programming and the mission of the institution;
(2) funding, budgeting and resource allocation;
(3) administrative and faculty compensation, including salaries and benefits;
(4) percentage of faculty that are tenure track faculty and faculty-student ratios;
(5) personnel development and promotion policies;
(6) academic, research and administrative recruitment; and
(7) inter-institutional coordination.
C. The committee shall request the assistance of the higher education department in its study.
D. The committee shall recommend legislation or changes, if any are found to be necessary, to the first session of the fiftieth legislature.
Section 4. SUBCOMMITTEES.--Subcommittees shall be created only by majority vote of all members appointed to the higher education study committee and with the prior approval of the New Mexico legislative council. A subcommittee shall be composed of at least one member from the senate and one member from the house of representatives, and at least one member of the minority party shall be a member of the subcommittee. All meetings and expenditures of a subcommittee shall be approved by the full committee in advance of such meeting or expenditure, and the approval shall be shown in the minutes of the committee.
Section 5. REPORT.--The higher education study committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of the first session of the fiftieth legislature. The report and suggested legislation shall be made available to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 15 preceding that session.
Section 6. STAFF.--The staff for the higher education study committee shall be provided by the legislative council service.
Section 7. APPROPRIATION.--Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal year 2011 for the purpose of reimbursing the per diem and mileage expenses of the higher education study committee. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2011 shall revert to the general fund. Payments from the appropriation shall be made upon vouchers signed by the director of the legislative council service or the director's authorized representative.
Section 8. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
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