New Mexico Register / Volume XXXV, Issue 9 / May 7, 2024

Notice of proposed rulemaking

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED or Department) will hold a public rulemaking hearing on June 10, 2024. The hearing will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will be held via Microsoft Teams and in person at the New Mexico Higher Education Department. The purpose of the hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed amendments to 5.7.31 NMAC, PUBLIC SERVICE LAW LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

Join via Microsoft Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDYwY2M2OGMtYWYxZi00YjQyLWIwNzAtZjM2MzA0MWI2NzYx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2204aa6bf4-d436-426f-bfa4-04b7a70e60ff%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c327f958-5970-4536-8f6b-03d48b60d29e%22%7d

Or call in (audio only)

+1 (505) 312-4308

Phone Conference ID: 313 318 540#

Purpose:

The purpose of the proposed amendment is to remove the salary cap from the rule. The salary cap is not in Statute and removal of the cap will allow the Department to broaden the applicant pool for the program. The proposed amendment also makes changes to the order of the criteria for the awards to prioritize applicants who have greatest financial need and are providing service in the areas of New Mexico with greatest need for public service attorneys.

Summary of proposed rule:

The proposed amendment removes the salary cap from rule and adds flexibility for the Department to determine the maximum annual salary. The proposed amendment also reorders the award criteria.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: The proposed rule is posted on the NMHED website and may be accessed at http://www.hed.nm.gov under the “Data, Reports and Rules” section. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact HigherEd.Info@hed.nm.gov or (505)476-8411.

A public hearing will be held on June 10, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams and in person at the NMHED Office located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Any person who is or may be affected by this proposed rule may participate. Interested persons may submit written comments to NMHED at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or HigherEd.Info@hed.nm.gov. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on June 6, 2024. Please note that any written or verbal comments received will become part of the rulemaking record, be posted to the New Mexico Sunshine Portal and be accessible to the public. If submitting written comments by email, please indicate in the subject line the number and section of each rule(s) for which you are providing comments. Oral comments will also be accepted at the rule hearing, subject to time limitations.

Legal authority for this rulemaking can be found in Sections 21-22F-1 through 21-22F-11, NMSA 1978.

Any person with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter or auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing should contact (505) 476-8411 or email HigherEd.Info@hed.nm.gov ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.