The committee shall:

A. direct the director of the legislative finance committee in his work;

B. examine the laws governing the finances and operation of departments, agencies and institutions of New Mexico and all of its political subdivisions, the effect of laws on the proper functioning of these governmental units, the policies and costs of governmental units as related to the laws;

C. recommend changes in these laws if any are deemed desirable, and draft and present to the legislature any legislation necessary;

D. make a full report of its findings and recommendations for the consideration of each successive legislature following its original establishment, the report and suggested legislation to be available to each member of the legislature on or before the first day of the regular session thereof.

History: 1953 Comp., § 2-5-3, enacted by Laws 1957, ch. 3, § 3; 1963, ch. 241, § 1; 1965, ch. 160, § 2.

Section authorizes the examination of the effect of laws governing finances and operation upon the proper functioning of governmental units and the policies and costs of governmental units as related to such laws, for the purpose of determining the need for any new laws concerning the finances and operation of the governmental units and for the repeal of old laws. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 57-118.

Section authorizes inquiry into policies and costs of a governmental unit as these are related to the operation and financial laws governing such a unit. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 57-118.

Inquiry as to the effectiveness of the operating policies of a governmental unit and the relationship of such policies on the costs of the governmental unit would be pertinent. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 57-118.

Examination of the books, records and operating policies is authorized, since to determine cost, specific inquiry would have to be made into items of costs as well as operating policies behind the expending of public money. 1957 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 57-118.