N.M. Admin. Code § 3.3.35.9

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 23, December 10, 2024

Section 3.3.35.9 - VERIFIER ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL BUILDINGS

A. The department reviews the qualifications for verifiers of the build green New Mexico or LEED-H certifications or LEED commercial buildings, which shall be provided annually to the department, based on the following criteria:

(1) the verifier is independent from the homebuilders or homeowners or commercial building owners that may apply for certification;

(2) the verifier has adequate staff and expertise to provide certification services, including:

(a) experience in green home building and commercial building services;

(b) ability to enlist and serve builders and provide training, consulting and other guidance as necessary;

(c) a method of auditing the certification process to maintain adequate stringency; and

(d) ability to administer the program and report on the certifications, audits and other relevant information the department may request;

(3) the verifier can identify the geographic area being served; and

(4) the verifier provides a statement that expresses a commitment to promoting energy-efficient green building with the highest standard of excellence.

B. The department approves verifiers after an entity submits a written request to the department that includes documentation on how the entity meets the required criteria. The department notifies the entity of the reasons for disapproving eligibility.

C. The verifier shall notify the department 30 calendar days prior to making any changes to its certification process or rating systems on which its prior approval by the department was based.

D. The department may rescind an existing verifier's approval at any time if it determines the above criteria are not being met.

E. The department notifies the verifier of the reasons for disapproving or rescinding eligibility as follows.

(1) The department shall notify the verifier of the proposed rescission in writing. The verifier has the right to request in writing review of the decision to rescind the verifier's approval. The verifier shall file a request for review within 20 calendar days after the department's notice is sent. The verifier shall address the request to the division director and include the reasons the department should not rescind the verifier's approval. The director shall consider the request. The division director may hold, at his or her discretion, a hearing and appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing. The division director shall send a final decision to the verifier on the later of 20 calendar days after receiving the request or five calendar days after a hearing is held.

(2) The verifier may appeal in writing to the department's secretary a division director's decision. The notice of appeal shall include the reasons that the secretary should overturn the division director's decision. The secretary shall consider any appeal from a division director's decision. The verifier shall file the appeal and the reasons for the appeal with the secretary within 14 calendar days of the division director's issuance of the decision. The secretary may hold a hearing, at his or her sole discretion, and appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing. The secretary shall send a final decision to the verifier within the latter of 20 calendar days after receiving the request or five calendar days after the date the hearing concludes.

N.M. Admin. Code § 3.3.35.9

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXVI, Issue 24, December 30, 2015, eff. 12/30/2015, Repealed by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 03, February 8, 2022, eff. 2/8/2022, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIII, Issue 13, July 12, 2022, eff. 7/12/2022