SENATE BILL 136

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph Cervantes

AN ACT

RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL CONDUCT; PROHIBITING THE USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 10-16-3.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2007, Chapter 362, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

     "10-16-3.1. PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.--A public officer or employee is prohibited from:

          A. directly or indirectly coercing or attempting to coerce another public officer or employee to pay, lend or contribute anything of value to a party, committee, organization, agency or person for a political purpose;

          B. threatening to deny a promotion or pay increase to an employee who does or does not vote for certain candidates, requiring an employee to contribute a percentage of the employee's pay to a political fund, influencing a subordinate employee to purchase a ticket to a political fundraising dinner or similar event or advising an employee to take part in political activity or similar activities; [or]

          C. violating the officer's or employee's duty not to use property belonging to a state agency or local government agency, or allow its use, for other than authorized purposes; or

          D. using public resources to support or oppose a candidate, political campaign or other political organization."

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