HOUSE BILL 143

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Luciano "Lucky" Varela

ENDORSED BY THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO COURTS; CREATING ADDITIONAL JUDGESHIPS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICTS; MAKING APPROPRIATIONS.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 34-6-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1968, Chapter 69, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:

     "34-6-5. JUDGES--SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT.--There shall be [twenty-seven] twenty-eight district judges in the second judicial district."

     SECTION 2. Section 34-6-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1968, Chapter 69, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

     "34-6-6. JUDGES--THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT.--There shall be [eight] nine district judges in the third judicial district."

     SECTION 3. TEMPORARY PROVISION--DISTRICT JUDGES-- APPOINTMENTS.--The additional district judgeships provided for in this act shall be filled by appointment by the governor pursuant to the provisions of Article 6 of the constitution of New Mexico.

     SECTION 4. APPROPRIATIONS.--

          A. The following amounts are appropriated from the general fund to the following agencies for expenditure in fiscal year 2016 for the following purposes:

                (1) three hundred eighty-five thousand seven hundred dollars ($385,700) to the second judicial district court for salaries and benefits and furniture, supplies and equipment for one additional district judge and support staff; and

                (2) four hundred thirty-six thousand five hundred dollars ($436,500) to the third judicial district court for salaries and benefits and furniture, supplies and equipment for one additional district judge and support staff.

          B. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2016 shall revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the

provisions of this act is July 1, 2015.

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