New Mexico Register / Volume XXXV, Issue 2 / January 30, 2024

STATE GAME COMMISSION MEETING AND RULE MAKING NOTICE

The New Mexico State Game Commission (“Commission”) will be hosting a meeting and rule hearing on Friday March 8, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, Northwest Area Office, 7816 Alamo Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120. The purpose of this meeting is to hear and consider action as appropriate on the presentation of proposed changes to the Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Application Rule 19.31.3.

Synopsis

The proposal is to amend the Hunting and Fishing Licenses Application Rule 19.31.3 NMAC which will become effective April 1, 2024.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE HUNTING AND FISHING LICENCES APPLICATION RULE

The New Mexico Legislature passed an amendment to 32A-3A-12 during the 2023 Legislative Session. The new law creates a free fishing license for foster parents and children in the custody of foster parents, young adults enrolled in the fostering connections program and children who are in the custody of the children, youth and families department or in tribal custody. The new law further establishes that eligibility shall be contingent on demonstration of proof of identity, residency and status as a foster parent, child in the custody of a foster parent, young adult enrolled in the fostering connections program or child in the custody of the children, youth and families department or in tribal custody in accordance with rules of the state game commission. The Commission is therefore required by the law to amend 19.31.3 NMAC in order to establish the documentation required to demonstrate eligibility for the new free license.

A full text of changes for all rules will be available on the Department’s website at: www.wildlife.state.nm.us.

Interested persons may submit comments on the proposed changes for the Hunting and Fishing Licenses and Application Rule to: special.hunts@dgf.nm.gov.

Individuals may also submit written comments to the physical address below. Comments are due by 1:00 p.m. on March 7, 2024. The final proposed rules will be voted on by the Commission during a public meeting on March 8, 2024. Interested persons may also provide data, views or arguments, orally or in writing, at the public rule hearings to be held on March 8, 2024.

Full copies of text of the proposed new rules, technical information related to proposed rule changes, and the agenda can be obtained from the Office of the Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507, or from the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us/commission/proposals-under-consideration/. This agenda is subject to change up to 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please contact the Director’s Office at (505) 476-8000, or the Department’s website at www.wildlife.state.nm.us for updated information.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Department at (505) 476-8000 at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Department at 505-476-8000 if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in the General Powers and Duties of the State Game Commission 17-1-14, et seq. NMSA 1978; Commission’s Power to establish rules and regulations 17-1-26, et seq. NMSA 1978.