A. There is created the "human rights commission" consisting of eleven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than six of the members shall be of the same political party. Not more than one member may be appointed from any one county. The governor shall designate a member to serve as chairman. The commission shall designate one of its members as vice chairman to preside in the absence or incapacity of the chairman.

B. The term of office of each member of the commission is for four years; however, of the commissioners first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term ending December 31, 1969, one for a term ending December 31, 1970, one for a term ending December 31, 1971 and two for terms ending December 31, 1972; provided, the two additional members added pursuant to this 1975 amendment shall be initially appointed for staggered terms of two and three years respectively so that one term ends on December 31, 1977 and one ends on December 31, 1978. The four additional commissioners added pursuant to this 1991 amendment shall be appointed for staggered terms; two shall be appointed for terms ending December 31, 1992; and two shall be appointed for terms ending December 31, 1993.

C. Any member chosen to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the remainder of the unexpired term. Six members of the commission constitute a quorum to conduct business. Vacancies on the commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise the powers of the commission.

D. Each member of the commission shall be reimbursed, as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act [10-8-1 to 10-8-8 NMSA 1978], during the performance of official duties and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.

History: 1953 Comp., § 4-33-3, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 196, § 3; 1975, ch. 124, § 1; 1987, ch. 342, § 17; 1991, ch. 104, § 1.

The 1991 amendment, effective June 14, 1991, in Subsection A, substituted "eleven members" for "seven members" in the first sentence and "six of the members" for "four of the members" in the second sentence; added the second sentence in Subsection B; and, in Subsection C, substituted "the remainder of the unexpired term" for "the unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed" at the end of the first sentence and "Six members" for "Four members" at the beginning of the second sentence.

Law reviews. — For article, "Age Discrimination in Employment: A Comparison of the Federal and State Laws and Remedies in New Mexico," see 7 N.M. L. Rev. 51 (1976-77).

For article, "Selecting an Analogous State Limitations Statute in Reconstruction Civil Rights Claims: The Tenth Circuit's Resolution," see 15 N.M.L. Rev. 11 (1985).