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A JOINT RESOLUTION

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PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF

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NEW MEXICO TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT STATE ETHICS COMMISSION

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WITH JURISDICTION TO INVESTIGATE, ADJUDICATE AND ISSUE

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ADVISORY OPINIONS CONCERNING CIVIL VIOLATIONS OF LAWS

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GOVERNING ETHICS, STANDARDS OF CONDUCT AND REPORTING

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REQUIREMENTS AS PROVIDED BY LAW.

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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1.

It is proposed to amend Article 5 of the

constitution of New Mexico by adding a new section to read:
"A.

The "state ethics commission" is established

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as an independent state agency under the direction of seven

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commissioners, no more than three of whom may be members of

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the same political party, whose terms and qualifications

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shall be as provided by law.

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commissioner.

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the president pro tempore of the senate, the minority floor

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leader of the senate, the speaker of the house of

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representatives and the minority floor leader of the house of

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representatives, all as certified by the chief clerks of the

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respective chambers.

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members of the same political party, shall be appointed by

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the four legislatively appointed commissioners.

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B.

The governor shall appoint one

One commissioner each shall be appointed by

Two commissioners, who shall not be

The state ethics commission may initiate,

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receive, investigate and adjudicate complaints alleging

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violations of, and issue advisory opinions concerning,

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standards of ethical conduct and other standards of conduct

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and reporting requirements, as may be provided by law, for

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state officers and employees of the executive and legislative

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branches of government, candidates or other participants in

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elections, lobbyists or government contractors or seekers of

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government contracts and have such other jurisdiction as

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provided by law.
C.

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The state ethics commission may require the

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attendance of witnesses or the production of records and

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other evidence relevant to an investigation by subpoena as

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provided by law and shall have such other powers and duties

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and administer or enforce such other acts as further provided

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by law."

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SECTION 2.

The amendment proposed by this resolution

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shall be submitted to the people for their approval or

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rejection at the next general election or at any special

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election prior to that date that may be called for that

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purpose.

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