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PRC Overhaul Controversy

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Members of the Public Regulation Commission are split over whether to streamline the regulatory agency and impose minimum qualifications on candidates for the $90,000-a-year job.

Commissioners Ben Hall and Theresa Becenti-Aguilar said Tuesday they support the current PRC structure and oppose establishing new qualifications for commissioners.

A report by an independent think tank recommends commissioners have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or five years of professional experience in law, engineering, economics or accounting.

Currently, a PRC candidate needs only to be 18, a New Mexico resident for at least one year and have no felony convictions.

Commission chairman Pat Lyons supports overhauling the PRC by moving some of its duties to other agencies and agrees with the report's proposed qualifications for PRC candidates.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.