SENATE BILL 265

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

AN ACT

CREATING THE LEGISLATIVE INTERIM CHILDREN'S COUNCIL; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

     SECTION 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--CHILDREN'S COUNCIL CREATED--TERMINATION.--The "children's council" is created as an interim legislative council. The council shall function from the date of its appointment until December 1 prior to the first session of the fifty-second legislature.

     SECTION 2. TEMPORARY PROVISION--MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT--VACANCIES.--

          A. The children's council shall be composed of sixteen members. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint four members from the house of representatives and four members from the public or private sector whose professional expertise is related to the work of the council. The president pro tempore of the senate shall appoint four members from the senate and four members from the public or private sector whose professional expertise is related to the work of the council.

          B. Members shall be appointed from each house to give the two major political parties the same proportionate representation on the council as prevails in each house; provided, however, that in no event shall either party have less than one member from each chamber on the council.

     SECTION 3. TEMPORARY PROVISION--DUTIES.--

          A. After its appointment, the children's council shall hold one organizational meeting to develop a work plan and budget for the 2014 interim. The work plan and budget shall be submitted to the New Mexico legislative council for approval.

          B. Upon approval of its work plan and budget, the children's council shall identify and address issues that affect children in New Mexico. The council shall prepare and present a report, including findings, recommendations and any proposed legislation, to the New Mexico legislative council on or before December 1, 2014.

     SECTION 4. TEMPORARY PROVISION--STAFF.--The staff for the children's council shall be provided by the legislative council service.

     SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION.--Seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative council service for expenditure in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to reimburse the per diem and mileage expenses of the children's council members and to pay other expenses, including contracting expenses, of the council. Payments from the appropriation shall be made on warrants drawn by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the director of the legislative council service or the director's authorized representative. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2015 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 6. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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