SENATE BILL 106

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

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

ENDORSED BY THE COURTS, CORRECTIONS AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS; ALLOWING THE DIRECTOR TO RECEIVE FUNDS TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 34-9-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1959, Chapter 162, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "34-9-3. DIRECTOR--DUTIES.--The director of the administrative office of the courts shall, under the supervision and direction of the supreme court:

          A. supervise all matters relating to administration of the courts;

          B. examine fiscal matters and the state of the dockets of the courts, secure information as to the courts' need of assistance and prepare and transmit to the supreme court statistical data and reports as to the business of the courts;

          C. submit to the supreme court and to the legislature by January 30 of each year a report of the activities of the administrative office of the courts and of the state of business of the courts, including the statistical data submitted to the supreme court pursuant to Subsection B of this section, and the director's recommendations. This report is a public document;

          D. deal with the problems of finance of those courts supported by legislative appropriation and be concerned with adequate but economical financing of each of these courts and the equitable distribution of available funds among them. For this purpose, the director shall receive, adjust and approve proposed budgets submitted by these courts prior to submission of the budgets to the state budget division of the department of finance and administration for inclusion in the executive budget. The district courts of all counties within a judicial district shall be included within a single budget. Budget proposals shall be submitted by the courts at the time and in the form prescribed by the director;

          E. perform other duties in aid of the administration of justice and the administration and dispatch of the business of the courts as directed by the supreme court. The courts shall comply with all requests of the director for information; [and]

          F. encourage that any behavioral health services, including mental health and substance abuse services, funded, provided, contracted for or approved by the office be in compliance with the requirements of Section 9-7-6.4 NMSA 1978; and

          G. apply for and receive, in the name of the administrative office of the courts, any public or private funds, including United States government funds, available to carry out its programs, duties or services."

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