Does state provide a license: No
Most registration and licensure systems include structural approaches to review both the need and operational effectiveness of the process.
Some states provide formal sunset evaluation processes for their licensure programs. Many also include a periodic audit process of the licensure program/agency, which can range from cursory financial reviews to comprehensive evaluation of program effectiveness.
The audit process is often leveraged when political pressure is applied to eliminate geologist licensure, so awareness of the history and codes for audits and sunset evaluations is critical to montioring the health of the licensure within the state.
Current modes for sunsetting evaluation: Both sunset review and audit
Current law to establish new licensure board: Yes
Sunset regulation name: Sunset Act
Sunset statute: NMSA Chapter 12. Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters, Article 9. Sunset Act
Sunset statute reference: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/nav_date.do
Sunset committee: Legislative Finance Committee
Sunset committee website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Entity/LFC/Default
Sunset duration: Varies
Sunset notes: Under the Sunset Act, licensing boards must review and update their rules once every three years.
Auditor name: Office of the State Auditor
Auditor website: https://www.saonm.org/
Audit statute: New Mexico Statutes, Chapter 12 Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters, Article 6 Audit Act
Audit Statute abbreviation: New Mexico Statutes, Chapter 12 Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters, Article 6 Audit Act Section 41-5A-1
Audit statute link: https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/nav_date.do
Audit duration: Annual and special audits
Audit legislation committee: Legislative Finance Committee
Audit legislation committee website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Entity/LFC/Default
Audit notes: Licensing boards are audited by the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor, reviewed by the Legislative Finance Committee.
Audit reference: Audit Report Guide
Audit reference website: https://www.saonm.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FY-19-IPA-Report-Review-Guide-for-audits-FINAL-8-8-30-2019.pdf
| Year | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) was created. | |
| 1977 | Sunset law created | The New Mexico Sunset Law was created by HB 33 of 1977, under NM Statutes §12-9-1. |
| 1981 | Sunset law amended | The sunset law was amended. The law was renamed the Sunset Act. Sections 12-9-1 to 12-9-10 were repealed by 1981 laws ch 241 § 35, and sections 12-9-11 to 12-9-21 were created. |
| 1991 | The Legislative Finance Committee assumed responsibility for the performance audit program, which was previously part of the Office of the State Auditor. |