Section 71-5-17 - Hearings on rules, regulations and orders; notice; emergency rules.
71-5-17. Hearings on rules, regulations and orders; notice; emergency rules.
A. Except as provided for herein, before any rule, regulation or order, including revocation, change, renewal or extension thereof, shall be made under the provisions of the Geothermal Resources Conservation Act [71-5-1 NMSA 1978], a public hearing shall be held at such time, place and manner as may be prescribed by the division. The division shall first give reasonable notice of such hearing (in no case less than ten days, except in an emergency) and at any such hearing any person having an interest in the subject matter of the hearing shall be entitled to be heard. Any member of the commission or division, or any employee of the commission or division, shall have power to administer oaths to any witness in any hearing, investigation or proceeding contemplated by the Geothermal Resources Conservation Act.
B. In case an emergency is found to exist by the division which in its judgment requires the making of a rule, regulation or order without first having a hearing, such emergency rule, regulation or order shall have the same validity as if a hearing with respect to the same had been held after due notice. The emergency rule, regulation or order permitted by this section shall remain in force no longer than fifteen days from its effective date, and, in any event, it shall expire when the rule, regulation or order made after due notice and hearing with respect to the subject matter of such emergency rule, regulation or order becomes effective.