A. The “crane operators licensure examining council” is created. The members of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the superintendent. The superintendent shall appoint at least five members to the council with consideration given to geographical representation and proportional representation of operator, contractor, labor and public members. The members of the council shall include at least:

(1)     one class I crane operator;

(2)     one contractor, as defined by Section 60-13-3 N.M. Stat. Ann., who employs at least one crane operator;

(3)     one representative of organized labor; and

(4)     two members from the public at large who are not licensed crane operators.

B. The duties of the council include:

(1)     reviewing and approving the applications, qualifications and examinations of applicants for licensure as crane operators and recommending to the superintendent whether licensure should be granted based on their evaluation of the operating experience and competence of the applicants;

(2)     reporting findings and recommendations from the hearings to the superintendent;

(3)     proceeding according to regulations adopted by the department; and

(4)     approving examinations and training programs that meet the requirements of the federal occupational safety and health administration, United States department of labor or occupational health and safety bureau of the department of environment.