by Teala Kail, Public Information Officer, NM RLD

The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Construction Industries Division (CID) is considering two rule changes to the New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) that would increase reinspection fees and clarify the ratio of journeymen to apprentices in the construction industry. The agency wants to hear from the public before making the rules official and has scheduled five public hearings around the state to take public comment.

New Rules

One reason the agency wants to increase reinspection fees is to cover the cost of these services. The fee increase applies only to construction projects that require reinspections because they failed the first inspection.

This rule change is expected to encourage contractors to have their construction projects in their appropriate phases before requesting inspections. If the rule change takes effect, reinspection fees will rise from $45 to $80 for a second inspection and to $120 for a third or subsequent inspection.

In addition, CID wants more clarity in the administrative code as it pertains to the ratio of journeymen to apprentices in the building trades. The new rule spells out the appropriate numbers of journeymen to apprentices for each of the trades and aims to bring the rules in line with state statutes.

The journeyman-apprentice ratio rule addresses issues of safety and professional qualification in the industry. Improperly trained, unregistered apprentices can result in an unqualified work force, more construction code violations and hazardous environments for both workers and the public.

To develop the new regulations and seek industry feedback, CID formed a Journeyman Ratio Subcommittee. Various segments of the industry, including the commercial and residential construction industries, were represented on the panel.

Public Comment Wanted

Individuals are encouraged to attend one of five community hearings planned for early March to solicit public testimony on the proposed rules. Written comments are also welcome at the hearings.

Public hearings on proposed amendments to NMAC 14.5.5 and NMAC 14.6.6 are set for the following dates and places:

• 1-4 p.m. March 1, McGee Park Convention Center, 3041 E. Main St., Farmington
• 9 a.m. to noon March 2, CID Conference Room, 5200 Oakland Ave. N.E., Albuquerque
• 9 a.m. to noon March 2, CID Conference Room, 2550 Cerrillos Road (third floor), Santa Fe
• 9 a.m. to noon March 3, CID Conference Room, 505 S. Main St., Suite 150, Las Cruces
• 9 a.m. to noon March 4, City Council Chambers, 425 N. Richardson Ave., Roswell

Members of the public who can’t attend one of these hearings can send written comments by 5 p.m. March 3 to the Construction Industries Division, 2550 Cerrillos Road, P.O. Box 25101, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504, Attention: Public Comments. Fax 505- 476-4685. More details about the proposed rules can be found at http://www.rld.state.nm.us/cid/news.htm.

By Teala Kail, Public Information Officer, NM Regulation and Licensing Department

Article 126

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