This bill amends the Community Governance Attorney Act by transferring the responsibilities for publicizing and administering contracts related to the Community Governance Attorney and Conditional Tuition Waiver Program from the Higher Education Department to the University of New Mexico School of Law. It allows counties and municipalities with at least one designated colonia to hire community governance attorneys, thereby expanding access to legal services for low-income residents in these areas. The bill also outlines the structure and duties of the newly created Community Governance Attorney Commission, which will consist of five members, including representatives from the university and appointees by the governor.

Additionally, the bill specifies the terms of participation in the program, including the conditions for repayment of tuition waivers and the forgiveness of a portion of the waiver for each year a participant works as a community governance attorney. The commission is tasked with making recommendations on applicants, advising on rule adoption, and soliciting proposals for legal services funding. The effective date for the provisions of this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 21-21Q-3, 21-21Q-4
JC substitute: 21-21Q-3, 21-21Q-4
RD substitute: 21-21Q-3, 21-21Q-4
Final Version: 21-21Q-3, 21-21Q-4