A. There is established a "risk management division" of the general services department. The director of the risk management division shall be appointed by the secretary of general services. The director shall be knowledgeable and experienced in general insurance practices. The director shall be responsible for the acquisition and administration of all insurance purchased by the state. Except as provided by this section, no state agency may procure any kind of insurance other than through the risk management division.

B. The risk management division shall apportion to each state agency its contributions toward the purchase of insurance or for the providing of coverage for any risk not insured. The amount of contribution by each agency shall be determined by the risk management division and shall reflect the respective risks of each agency. All contributions toward the purchase of insurance or for the coverage of any risk not insured shall be paid into the public liability fund, the workers' compensation retention fund, the public property reserve fund or the group self-insurance fund, as appropriate. The department of finance and administration may collect or transfer funds from each agency to cover insurance or other costs, pursuant to the risk management division's instructions.

C. The director, upon a finding that efficiency and economy so require, may authorize any state agency to purchase insurance for, or otherwise cover, vision, dental, any group or individual health, life, accidental death and dismemberment or disability coverage. Any authorization granted shall be conditioned upon the prior approval by the director of any policy to be purchased and the premium to be paid by the agency.

History: Laws 1978, ch. 166, § 7; 1983, ch. 301, § 64; 1986, ch. 102, § 5; 1989, ch. 231, § 10.

Cross references. — For appointment of director, see 9-17-5 NMSA 1978.

Law reviews. — For survey, "Torts: Sovereign and Governmental Immunity in New Mexico," see 6 N.M. L. Rev. 249 (1976).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 81A C.J.S. States § 196.