Coordination of interpreter requests.

A. Whenever an appointing authority receives a valid request for the services of an interpreter, the appointing authority shall request the commission for deaf and hard-of- hearing persons to furnish a list of interpreters. B. The New Mexico association of the deaf and the New Mexico registry of interpreters for the deaf are authorized to assist the commission to prepare and continually update a listing of available interpreters. When requested by an appointing authority to provide assistance in providing an interpreter, the commission shall supply a list of available interpreters. C. An interpreter who has been appointed shall be reimbursed by the appointing authority at a fixed rate reflecting a current approved fee schedule as established by the commission and the administrative office of the courts. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any state department, board, institution, commission, agency or licensing authority or any political subdivision of the state from employing an interpreter on a full-time basis or under contract at a mutually agreed upon compensation rate.