areas; committee; eligibility and selection; applicant qualifications. A. The department may: (1) promulgate rules to implement the provisions of the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Act, including the factors to be used to identify designated underserved areas of the state; (2) delegate to other agencies or contract for the performance of services required by the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Act; and (3) grant an award to repay loans to a recipient on such terms and conditions as determined by rule of the department. B. The department, delegated agency or contractor shall participate in any federal programs that support the repayment of education loans incurred by veterinarians and agree to the conditions of a federal program. C. The department shall appoint an ongoing "veterinarian selection committee" composed of the state veterinarian, the New Mexico state university extension veterinarian and the chair of the board of veterinary medicine, who all serve ex officio. The committee shall: (1) select up to ten qualified applicants per year to participate in the veterinary medical loan repayment program; (2) designate food-animal veterinarian underserved areas of the state and rank them as to need; and (3) assist the department in determining eligibility and selection criteria for applicants and recipients. D. An applicant shall be: (1) a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States; (2) a resident of New Mexico; (3) licensed as a veterinarian in New Mexico; and (4) employed full time in a private practice providing food-animal veterinary medical services in a designated underserved area. E. The department, with the assistance of the board of veterinary medicine, shall make a full and careful investigation of the training, ability, character and other pertinent qualifications of each applicant and determine fitness to be a recipient. F. The board of veterinary medicine shall maintain a database of employment opportunities for veterinarians in designated underserved areas. History: Laws 2025, ch. 53, § 3.
‹ Prev All New Mexico sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.