N.M. Admin. Code § 19.30.15.8

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

Section 19.30.15.8 - WILDLIFE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

A. The New Mexico department of game and fish may develop a program to recruit, train, equip and accept the services of the registered volunteers that help support the programs administered by the department.

B. Registered volunteers shall comply with all the department's rules, policies and directives as prescribed by the director.

C. A registered volunteer shall not be deemed to be a state employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to state employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation and state employee benefits.

D. A registered volunteer traveling under the authorization and direction of the New Mexico department of game and fish may receive per diem and mileage at a rate defined by the Per Diem and Mileage Act, 10-8-1 through 10-8-8 NMSA 1978 and the Travel and Per Diem Rule, 2.42.2 NMAC and reimbursement of expenses associated with the volunteers service for items such as supplies and equipment for the department's programs. Reimbursement is allowed provided that: the expense is directly related to and facilitates the implementation of the department's program(s), the incurring of the expense has been pre-approved by department staff, and the department does not authorize reimbursements in excess of the value of services rendered to the department by the registered volunteer. Per diem, mileage and reimbursements are subject to the availability of funds, the review and pre-approval by the department, must adhere to all aspects of the Per Diem and Mileage Act, 10-8-1 through 10-8-8 NMSA 1978 and the Travel and Per Diem Rule, 2.42.2 NMAC, and all department rules, policies and procedures governing such expenses and reimbursements.

E. A registered volunteer may be authorized to use state vehicles in the performance of department assigned duties, subject to those rules, policies and directives governing the use of state vehicles by department employees. A registered volunteer that operates a state vehicle under the terms of this section shall be treated for the purposes of insurability and tort claims liability as a public employee of the state as described in the Tort Claims Act, 41-4-1 through 41-4-30 NMSA 1978 and the General Governmental Administration Risk Management Certificate of Coverage Rule, 1.6.5 NMAC.

F. A registered volunteer may be authorized to use state computers and related technology in the performance of department-assigned duties. Registered volunteers are subject to those rules, policies and directives governing the use of state computers and associated technology. Use of department computers and associated technology must be reviewed and pre-approved by the department and registered volunteers must adhere to all aspects of the Information Technology Internet, Intranet, Email, and Digital Network Usage Rule 1.12.10 NMAC, the Information Technology Enterprise Architecture Rule, 1.12.11 NMAC, and the department's information technology use policy, GP-015.

G. A registered volunteer may be authorized to use special-use vehicles and motorized equipment in the performance of department assigned duties, subject to the department's rules, policies and directives as prescribed by the director.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.30.15.8

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVII, Issue 13, July 15, 2016, eff. 7/15/2016