New Mexico voters approved a constitutional amendment to Article 5 of the state’s constitution.

Constitutional Amendment 2 creates an independent ethics commission with jurisdiction to investigate, adjudicate and issue advisory opinions concerning civil violations of laws governing ethics, standards of conduct and reporting requirements.

The commission will have jurisdiction over state officers and employees of the executive and legislative branches, lobbyists, and seekers or holders of government contracts.

In order to be a functional commission the Legislature must pass laws granting the commission all of its powers and duties.