New Mexico Register / Volume XXXII, Issue 11 /June 8, 2021

Notice of proposed rulemaking

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED or Department) will hold a public video/telephonic rulemaking hearing on July 13, 2021. The hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will be held via Microsoft Teams. The purpose of the rulemaking hearing is to take public comment regarding proposed amendments to 5.7.35 NMAC, GROW YOUR OWN TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

Join via Microsoft Teams:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OGFlNjU0ZTQtMDlhNC00YTZkLWExOWItM2M3ZmM4YjEzMDE1%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: 345 568 732#

Amendments:

5.7.35.6 NMAC, OBJECTIVE

5.7.35.7 NMAC, DEFINITIONS

5.7.35.8 NMAC, STUDENT ELIGIBILITY AND AWARD PROCESS

5.7.35.9 NMAC, AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP AND DURATION

5.7.35.10 NMAC, ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM

Purpose:

The proposed amendments are based upon changes that were made to the program through the enactment of H.B. 22, 55th Leg., 1st Sess. (N.M. 2021). Pursuant to H.B. 22 eligibility for the Grow Your Own Teachers Program has been expanded to include eligibility for all school employees in teaching assistant positions. H.B. 22 also provides conditions for professional leave for award recipients. In addition, H.B. 22 expands program eligibility to individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States, rather than requiring citizenship for eligibility.

Summary of proposed changes:

The amendment to Section 5.7.35.7 NMAC removes the definition “educational assistant” and adds the definition “school employee”. Occurrences of the term “educational assistant” are updated throughout the rule to “school employee.” The amendment to 5.7.35.8 NMAC removes the requirement for United States citizenship and replaces it with the requirement that the school employee by authorized to work in the United States. The amendment to Section 5.7.35.10 NMAC adds provisions related to professional leave for program award recipients.

Details for Obtaining a Copy, Public Hearing and Comments: 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 on July 13, 2021 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. 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@state.nm.us. Written comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on July 9, 2021. 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 Section 9-25-1 et seq. NMSA 1978 and Chapter 230, Laws of 2019.

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.