45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE REGULATION; PROVIDING FOR EXCUSAL OR RECUSAL OF HEARING OFFICERS; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. Section 60-3A-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1981, Chapter 39, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"60-3A-1. SHORT TITLE.--Chapter 60, Articles 3A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 7A, 7B and 8A [of Chapter 60] NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Liquor Control Act"."

Section 2. A new section of the Liquor Control Act is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS--EXCUSAL OR RECUSAL OF DIRECTOR OR HEARING OFFICER.--

A. A party to an administrative hearing may file a notice of excusal with the department. Upon receipt by the department of a notice of excusal, neither the hearing officer assigned to the case nor the director shall hear the case. An alternate hearing officer shall be appointed immediately. No party may excuse more than one hearing officer. The notice of excusal shall be filed after notice is received by the party of a hearing but at least three days prior to the date on which the hearing is scheduled.

B. The director or a hearing officer shall recuse himself in an administrative hearing in which he has a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest exists when the director or hearing officer:

(1) has a present or past professional relationship, personal relationship, familial relationship or other relationship with the licensee;

(2) has a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the proceeding other than as a customer of the party; or

(3) served as an attorney, adviser, consultant or witness in the matter in controversy.

C. If the director or a hearing officer fails to recuse himself and it appears that grounds exist for recusal pursuant to Subsection B of this section, a party shall promptly notify the director or hearing officer of the apparent grounds for recusal. If the director or hearing officer declines to recuse himself upon request of a party, he shall provide full disclosure on the record of all facts in support of his refusal to recuse himself.

D. As used in this section, "party" means the licensee, the department or a person who files a complaint in writing with the department regarding the alleged violation of the Liquor Control Act about which the hearing is being held."

Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.