44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 6, SECTION 14 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO REQUIRE JUDGES IN MULTIPLE COUNTY JUDICIAL DISTRICTS TO STAND FOR ELECTION OR RETENTION IN THEIR COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 6, Section 14 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"The qualifications of the district judges shall be the same as those of justices of the supreme court except that district judges shall have been in the actual practice of law for at least six years preceding assumption of office. Each district judge shall reside in the district for which the judge was elected or appointed. In multiple county judicial districts where a judge resides in each county, a judge shall stand for election or retention in his county of residence. The increased qualifications provided by this 1988 amendment shall not apply to district judges serving at the time this 1988 amendment passes or elected at the general election in 1988."

Section 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date which may be called for that purpose.