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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Attorney General

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 668 amends and enacts new material in the Municipal Code to exclude municipal employees who are covered by a merit system of employment from having to be confirmed by a municipal governing body. The bill also clarifies the process by which the mayor must submit names of persons to fill municipal appointments and jobs if the original nominations are not confirmed. The bill also describes the purposes of the post-election organizational meeting that is currently required by statute.

Significant Issues

Section 3-13-4 NMSA 1978 provides the option for municipalities to create a merit system of employment for its employees. The system includes hiring, promotion, discharge and general regulations for municipal employees. Current law, however, allows the mayor of a municipality to name all persons for appointive offices and other positions of employment and allows the governing body to confirm them. Senate Bill 668 would exclude anyone who occupies a merit-based position from this process.

Statute currently requires a governing body to hold an organizational meeting following an election. Senate Bill 668 establishes that this meeting is to allow the governing body to:

1. Organize itself into a committee;

2. Elect a mayor pro tem; and

3. To otherwise organize itself.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

This bill contains no appropriation and has no fiscal impact on state government.

LP/njw