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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CREATE A

TASK FORCE TO REVIEW OPTIONS FOR PROVIDING LIABILITY INSURANCE

COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL

SERVICES PERSONNEL AFFILIATED WITH VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

WHEREAS, volunteer fire department and emergency medical

services personnel provide vital services in a number of rural

communities across the state; and

WHEREAS, as volunteers, these individuals, unlike state

employees, do not qualify for workers' compensation or general

liability insurance coverage; and

WHEREAS, their volunteer work involves hazardous

situations, potential bodily injury and possible harm to other

individuals and property;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico

legislative council be requested either to appoint a task

force or to request that the appropriate interim legislative

committee study the options for providing workers'

compensation and general liability insurance coverage for

volunteer fire department and emergency medical services

personnel and report the findings to the New Mexico

legislative council in December 2006; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that representatives of the

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following organizations be solicited for input during the

requested study: the risk management division of the general

services department, the state fire marshal, the workers'

compensation administration, the New Mexico association of

counties and the New Mexico municipal league; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative

council.