A. The commission shall appoint an executive director who shall be knowledgeable about state ethics laws and who shall be appointed without reference to party affiliation and solely on the grounds of fitness to perform the duties of the office. The director shall hold office from the date of appointment until such time as the director is removed by the commission.

B. The director shall:

(1)     take the oath of office required by Article 20, Section 1 of the constitution of New Mexico;

(2)     hire a general counsel who may serve for no more than five years, unless rehired for up to an additional five years;

(3)     hire additional personnel as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the commission;

(4)     prepare an annual budget for the commission and submit it to the commission for approval;

(5)     make recommendations to the commission of proposed rules or legislative changes needed to provide better administration of the State Ethics Commission Act;

(6)     perform other duties as assigned by the commission; and

(7)     be required to reapply for the position after six years of service and may serve as director for no more than twelve years.

C. The director may:

(1)     enter into contracts and agreements on behalf of the commission; and

(2)     have the general counsel administer oaths and take depositions subject to the Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts.

D. For a period of one calendar year immediately following termination of the director’s employment with the commission, the director shall not:

(1)     represent a respondent, unless appearing on the director’s own behalf; or

(2)     accept employment or otherwise provide services to a respondent, unless the director accepted employment or provided services prior to the filing of a complaint against the respondent.