NMDA schedules public hearing regarding repeals of election and referendum rules as they pertain to soil and water conservation districts

NMDA schedules public hearing regarding repeals of election and referendum rules as they pertain to soil and water conservation districts

Hearing to be held in Las Cruces Oct. 12

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) has scheduled a rule hearing to receive public input on the repeals of 21.9.2 NMAC Conducting an Election of District Supervisors and 21.9.3 NMAC Conducting a Referendum.

The hearing is Friday, Oct.12 at 1 p.m. at NMDA, located at 3190 S. Espina in Las Cruces.

Rule Summary:

§  21.9.2 NMAC Conducting an Election of District Supervisors provides standard procedures for the election of supervisors in accordance with law.

§  21.9.3 NMAC Conducting a Referendum provides standards to provide for referenda to be conducted in accordance with law.

NMDA is proposing the repeal of both rules in order to bring election protocol for soil and water conservation districts into compliance with the requirements of the recently chaptered Local Election Act.

Background:

The Soil and Water Conservation District Act (SWCDA) grants the New Mexico Soil and Water Conservation Commission the authority to promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the SWCDA. The commission promulgated 21.9.2 NMAC Conducting an Election of District Supervisors and 21.9.3 NMAC Conducting a Referendum in order to provide the districts with protocol for pursuing an election or referendum. With the recent passage of the Local Election Act – which standardizes elections throughout the state – the two previously mentioned rules are no longer necessary or applicable. NMDA proposes the repeals of the two rules. 

Legal authority is granted to the board of regents of New Mexico State University under the SWCDA, Sections 73-20-25 NMSA 1978.

Interested individuals may provide comments regarding the proposed rulemaking repeals at the rule hearing and/or submit written comments via email at comments@nmda.nmsu.edu. Written comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 12, 2018. Individuals are encouraged to submit written comments as soon as possible. Persons offering written comments at the hearing must have two copies for the hearing officer.

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 NMDA at 575-646-3702 as soon as possible but at least one week prior to the meeting.

The full text of the proposed rule is available at www.nmda.nmsu.edu and at NMDA, which is located at 3190 S. Espina in Las Cruces.

For more information about NMDA, visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @NMDeptAg.