1. A. “Act” means NMSA 1978, Section 34-14-1 (2001), entitled civil legal services commission.
2. B. “Civil legal services” means a full range of free legal services provided by attorneys or attorney-supervised staff in noncriminal matters to low-income persons living in New Mexico. The full range of services is subject to interpretation by the commission.
3. C. “Civil legal services commission” means an appointed five-member commission, all members who must have experience with civil legal matters affecting low-income persons.
4. D. “Civil legal services fund” or “fund” means an account created within the state treasury financed through designated court fees.
5. E. “Code” means the New Mexico Procurement Code, NMSA 1978, Sections 13-1-28 through 13-1-199.
6. F. “Commission” means the civil legal services commission.
7. G. “Contract” means the signed legal agreement between fund recipients and the division outlining specific requirements for use of fund monies.
8. H. “DFA” means the executive agency department of finance and administration.
9. I. “Division” means local government division within the department of finance and administration.
10. J. “Impoverished New Mexicans” means low-income persons.
11. K. “Low income person(s)” means a person(s) living in New Mexico lacking the financial ability to secure needed civil legal services. The specific financial criteria to define low-income persons shall be based on federal poverty guidelines and determined by the commission at intervals not to exceed three years.
12. L. “New Mexicans living in poverty” means low-income persons.
13. M. “New Mexican” means a person living in New Mexico at the time that person needs civil legal services.
14. N. “Person(s) living in poverty” means a low-income person(s).
15. O. “Request for proposal (RFP)” means a solicitation for a competitive proposal for services subject to the state Procurement Code.

[2.40.3.7 NMAC - N, 1/31/2002]