New Mexico Statutes Chapter 32A. Children's Code § 32A-30-5. State child advocate selection committee;  duties

A. The “state child advocate selection committee” is created and consists of seven members, including:

B. The committee shall elect a chair from the committee's membership.

C. The committee shall meet by September 1, 2025 exclusively for the purpose of nominating persons to fill the position of state child advocate.  The committee shall actively solicit, accept and evaluate applications for the position of state child advocate and may require applicants to submit any information that the committee deems relevant to the consideration of applications.  Within ninety days before the date on which the term of a state child advocate ends or no later than thirty days after the occurrence of a vacancy in the state child advocate position, the committee shall convene and, within thirty days after convening, submit to the governor the names of persons who are recommended for appointment to the position by a majority of the committee members.

D. The governor shall fill a vacancy or appoint a successor to fill an impending vacancy in the office of state child advocate within thirty days after receiving final nominations from the committee by appointing one of the persons nominated by the committee.

E. The committee is administratively attached to the office of the attorney general pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-1-7 NMSA 1978.

F. After the initial meeting of the committee, the governor or a majority of the committee members may call a subsequent meeting of the committee to nominate persons to fill a current or impending vacancy in the position of state child advocate.

G. The members of the committee shall receive per diem and mileage as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act and shall receive no other compensation, perquisite or allowance.