SB 109 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

PRC & SUPPORTING AGENCY

SB 109 clarifies the roles of New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission (PRC) and its supporting staff agency, distinguishing the three-member regulatory body from its administrative staff. It updates the nominating committee structure to require geographic diversity in commissioner candidates and mandates that commissioners complete annual ethics training and 32 hours of relevant continuing education. The bill also specifies prohibited conflicts of interest for commissioners and their staff. These changes directly affect PRC commissioners, the nominating committee members, and individuals applying for PRC positions.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Vetoed

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Vetoed Apr 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill reorganizes the Public Regulation Commission by creating a new seven-member nominating committee to recommend commissioner candidates, clarifies definitions to distinguish between the commission and its supporting agency, and establishes continuing education requirements for commissioners. The changes aim to improve transparency, diversity, and professionalism in the regulatory process.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by creating a new nominating committee that operates independently from the commission itself, while clarifying the relationship between the commission and the agency that supports it.

STRUCTURE

Created a new seven-member Public Regulation Commission Nominating Committee with specific appointment requirements from legislative leaders, state officials, and the governor to recommend commissioner candidates.

DEFINITION

Added clear definitions distinguishing 'agency' (support staff) from 'commission' (regulatory body) to clarify their separate roles and responsibilities.

REQUIREMENT

Established continuing education requirements for commissioners including ethics training and 32 hours of relevant coursework annually.

ELIGIBILITY

Added diversity requirements for nominee lists, requiring candidates from at least three different counties and consideration of diverse geographical areas.

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines for committee meetings and nominee submissions, with initial appointments required before July 1, 2022.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 20, 2025 · House Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

31–0

Passed · 9 other

Total votes 40

Feb 20, 2025

D Democratic24

19 Yea 5

79% Yea

R Republican16

12 Yea 4

75% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 14, 2025

Vetoed

Pocket Veto

executive

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee & House Judiciary Committee

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Rules Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors