HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 36

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Eliseo Lee Alcon

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS TO COLLABORATE WITH ALL OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY, COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CENTRALIZING HUMAN RESOURCES, PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has fourteen district attorneys who are elected by the citizenry to investigate and prosecute criminal cases; and

     WHEREAS, the district attorneys are assisted in the accomplishment of these duties and responsibilities by the administrative office of the district attorneys; and

     WHEREAS, the administrative office of the district attorneys was created by statute to assist the fourteen elected district attorneys with various administrative duties, including the preparation and presentation of budgetary matters, the preparation of pay plans and the preparation of operating manuals to standardize operations in district attorney offices within the state; and 

     WHEREAS, the administrative support activities performed by the administrative office of the district attorneys are designed to ease the administrative burden of the district attorneys and to ensure uniform approaches to the conduct of the district attorneys within the state in the administration of justice; and

     WHEREAS, the District Attorney Personnel and Compensation Act establishes a uniform, equitable and binding system of personnel administration for district attorneys in the state; and

     WHEREAS, that act created the district attorney personnel review board, which is composed of five district attorneys and which exists to recommend and periodically review regulations governing many aspects of personnel management and compensation and to hear certain appeals following employee disciplinary actions, but which does not provide administrative assistance with the day-to-day human resources activities of the district attorneys; and

     WHEREAS, the regular duties of the district attorneys are and should be focused on the successful investigation and prosecution of crimes, leaving them little time to engage in the myriad responsibilities associated with personnel management; and

     WHEREAS, in order to maintain an office and conduct business efficiently and effectively, district attorneys must purchase supplies and equipment, enter into contracts and engage in other activities that necessitate involvement in administrative and fiscal activities unrelated to the practice of law; and

     WHEREAS, by statute, the administrative office of the district attorneys has a director to oversee the administrative duties and responsibilities that are assigned to it; and

     WHEREAS, many of the duties and responsibilities of the administrative office of the district attorneys already bear a relationship to the day-to-day responsibilities of managing human resources, purchasing and other business activities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the administrative office of the district attorneys be requested to collaborate with the fourteen elected district attorneys to study the feasibility, costs and benefits of centralizing human resources, purchasing and contracting activities under the administrative office of the district attorneys; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study identify activities accomplished by each individual district attorney's office that are duplicative and could benefit from centralization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of this study, including findings and recommendations regarding centralization of human resources, purchasing, contracting and other business activities, be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 1, 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the administrative office of the district attorneys and to all of the district attorneys.

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