A. For the purpose of administering the licensing provisions of the Liquor Control Act, the director is authorized to examine and to require the production of any pertinent records, books, information or evidence, to require the presence of any person and to require him to testify under oath concerning the subject matter of the inquiry and to make a permanent record of the proceedings.

B. The director, through the legal counsel for the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department, is vested with the power to issue subpoenas. In no case shall a subpoena be made returnable less than five days from the date of service.

C. A subpoena issued by the legal counsel for the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department shall state with reasonable certainty the nature of the evidence required to be produced, the time and place of the hearing, the nature of the inquiry or investigation and the consequences of failure to obey the subpoena, and shall bear the seal of the department and be attested to by the director.

D. After service of a subpoena upon him, if a person neglects or refuses to appear or produce records or other evidence in response to the subpoena or neglects or refuses to give testimony, as required, the director may invoke the aid of the New Mexico district courts in the enforcement of the subpoena. In appropriate cases, the court shall issue its order requiring the person to appear and testify or produce his books or records and may, upon failure of the person to comply with the order, punish the person for contempt.

E. The alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department shall require criminal history background checks for purposes of administering the licensing provisions of the Liquor Control Act. For purposes of conducting the criminal history background check, the alcohol and gaming division shall require the fingerprinting of applicants for liquor licenses as required by the Liquor Control Act. Fingerprint cards shall be submitted by the director to the department of public safety records bureau for processing through the federal bureau of investigation. The director shall establish procedures within the alcohol and gaming division to maintain the confidentiality of information received from the department of public safety and the federal bureau of investigation.

History: Laws 2001, ch. 86, § 6.

Effective dates. — Laws 2001, ch. 86, § 10 makes the act effective July 1, 2001.