New Mexico Register / Volume XXIX, Issue 19 / October 16, 2018

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 November 16, 2018. The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be held at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505. The purpose of the rulemaking hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed amendments to 5.7.3 NMAC, NEW MEXICO HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (HPLRP).

Amendments:

5.7.3.9 NMAC, PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY

5.7.3.10 NMAC, SELECTION OF LOAN REPAYMENT PARTICIPANTS

5.7.3.11 NMAC, PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

5.7.3.12 NMAC, PENALTIES

Purpose:

The purpose of the proposed rule change is to modify the provisions for the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program award preferences. The proposed amendment is based upon changes that were made to the program through the enactment of H.B.126, 53rd Leg., 1st Sess. (N.M. 2017). The program was modified to statutorily allow preference in awarding Health Professional Loan Repayment Program funds to graduates of any New Mexico post-secondary institution.

Summary of proposed changes:

The amendments to Section 5.7.3.9 NMAC, 5.7.3.11 NMAC, and 5.7.3.12 NMAC are non-substantive changes to comply with the Legislative Style Manual.

The amendment to Section 5.7.3.10 NMAC expands the preference in awarding Health Professional Loan Repayment Program funds to health professionals that graduated from any New Mexico post-secondary institution.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: The proposed rule is available at NMHED located at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100. The proposed rule is also posted on the NMHED website and may be accessed at http://www.hed.state.nm.us/ under the “Events” section. To request that a copy of the proposed rule be sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us or (505) 476-8411.

A public hearing will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at NMHED on November 16, 2018. Any person who is or may be affected by this proposed rule may appear and testify. Interested persons may submit written comments to NMHED at 2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4, Santa Fe, NM 87505 or HigherEd.Info@state.nm.us. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 15, 2018. Please note that any written 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 Section 9-25-1 et seq. NMSA 1978, Section 21-1-26 NMSA 1978, and Section 21-22D-1 et seq. 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@state.nm.us ten (10) business days prior to the hearing.