NMSA 21-28-20. Conflicts of interest

21-28-20. Conflicts of interest. A. If any director, officer or employee of a research park corporation is interested either directly or indirectly or is an officer or employee of or has any ownership interest in any firm or legal entity interested directly or indirectly in any contract with the research park corporation, except for any agency, instrumentality, department or political subdivision of the state, such interest shall be disclosed to and shall be set forth in the minutes of the research park corporation that is a party to the contract. The director, officer or employee having that interest shall not participate on behalf of the research park corporation in the authorization of the contract. B. No director, officer or employee of a research park corporation or state officer shall accept any gratuities in connection with the issuance of bonds under the University Research Park and Economic Development Act, nor shall that individual be reimbursed for expenses incident to the issuing of bonds except such expenses as are reimbursed as provided under the provisions of rules of the regents. C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an officer, director or employee of a financial institution from participating as a member of the board of directors of a research park corporation in setting general policies of the research park corporation, nor shall any provision of this section be construed as prohibiting a financial institution of New Mexico from making loans guaranteed pursuant to the provisions of the University Research Park and Economic Development Act because an officer, director or employee of the financial institution serves as a member of the board of directors of the research park corporation. D. Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced for a definite term of less than one year, a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. History: Laws 1989, ch. 264, § 20; 2007, ch. 247, § 15.