The Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee unanimously approved a proposed bill that would create a state ethics commission at a meeting this week. The legislation will be introduced during January’s legislative session.

Committee co-chairs Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, and Rep. Al Park, D-Albuquerque, praised the decision.

“The Committee’s action brings New Mexico one step closer to this much needed reform. We set aside partisan differences and worked together to create a fair process that can address specific ethics complaints and serve to educate state employees, legislators and state elected officials about what constitutes ethical behavior,” said Senator Wirth.

“This is a critical step toward promoting ethics and integrity in state government,” said Representative Park.

Attempts to create a state ethics commission have failed in the past. In the 2009 regular session, a bill designed to create a state ethics commission was all but dead on arrival because of opposition by Senate leaders including Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez.

The bill languished in the Senate Rules Committee in 2009.

State Ethics Commission discussion draft