Veterans

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SM 23: FUNDING FOR WREATHS ON VETERAN GRAVESITES

Senate Memorial 23 requests the Legislative Finance Committee consider allocating state funds in 2027 to cover the annual cost of placing wreaths on all 79,000 veteran gravesites at Santa Fe National Cemetery, estimated at $1.34 million ($17 per wreath). Currently, volunteers and families sponsor wreaths through donations, but this memorial seeks to transition the effort to sustainable state funding. It directly affects veterans buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery and aims to ensure every grave receives a wreath annually. This non-binding request does not create new law but asks the committee to evaluate funding options.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates state funds ($1.34M) for wreaths on veteran gravesites, directly recognizing veterans' service and transitioning to sustainable funding from volunteer donations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HM 55: RADIATION EXPOSURE & COMPENSATION

This memorial acknowledges New Mexico residents affected by radiation from the Trinity nuclear test and uranium mining, urging state agencies to help eligible individuals apply for federal compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act before its December 31, 2027 deadline. It directs the departments of Health, Aging and Long-Term Services, Veterans' Services, and Indian Affairs to collaborate with community organizations and tribal governments to provide outreach, education, and application assistance. The focus is on supporting downwinders, uranium workers, and their families - particularly elders, rural residents, and tribal members - who may need help navigating the federal process. It does not create new benefits but aims to increase awareness and access to existing federal compensation.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDirectly involves Veterans' Services to help veterans access federal radiation compensation under RECA, advancing benefits for affected veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 285: DISABLED VETERAN PROPERTY TAX CHANGES

HB 285 clarifies rules for New Mexico's existing disabled veteran property tax exemption, directly affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities and their surviving spouses who own property. It specifies that veterans must occupy the property as their principal residence to qualify, clarifies how exemptions apply to properties with multiple owners, and streamlines the claiming process by requiring proof of eligibility (including a veterans' services certificate) within 30 days of receiving the county assessor's notice. The bill also adds procedures for claiming the exemption after moving and for protesting denied claims, while ensuring the exemption applies only to the highest disability percentage among qualifying owners. It does not change the exemption amount or eligibility criteria but makes the current system clearer and easier to navigate for veterans and local assessors.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransClarifies and maintains disabled veteran property tax exemption, ensuring access to existing benefit through streamlined eligibility proof for service-connected disabled veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 117: UNIFORMED SVC. SALARY TAX EXEMPTION

This bill exempts from New Mexico state income tax salaries paid by the U.S. government to residents serving in uniformed services. It directly affects New Mexico residents working in the military (active/reserve army, navy, air force, etc.), Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service, NOAA Corps, or state National Guard. The key provision removes state tax liability on these federal salaries for tax returns filed in 2026 and later. The exemption requires taxpayers to report it to the state tax department and is included in official tax expenditure reports.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts military salaries from state tax, providing direct tax relief to service members, aligning with fiscal support for middle-income earners.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans' federal military salaries from state income tax, increasing disposable income and directly supporting financial well-being for uniformed service members including veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 177: VETERAN SERVICE ANIMAL SERVICES & SHELTER

HB 177 allocates $150,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Veterans' Services Department to support veterans who need temporary separation from their service or companion animals for housing, medical care, or homelessness services. The bill funds contracted animal boarding, veterinary care, kennel facilities at veteran housing sites, and pet food to prevent veterans from losing access to essential services due to animal separation. This funding is available for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund. The policy directly affects veterans requiring shelter, housing, or medical care that would otherwise require parting with their service animals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $150,000 from general fund to fund veteran service animal programs, directly increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds veterinary care and boarding to maintain service animals for veterans' mental health support, preventing separation during medical/housing needs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds services preventing veterans from losing housing access due to service animal separation, directly addressing homelessness and housing stability at veteran sites.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $150k to fund service animal support for veterans, preventing loss of housing/medical access due to animal separation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Homelessness Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 221: ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT PAY TAX EXEMPTION

HB 221 removes the $30,000 annual cap on tax exemptions for military retirement pay in New Mexico, making all such income tax-exempt for eligible individuals. It directly affects New Mexico military retirees and their surviving spouses who qualify for lifetime retirement benefits under federal law. The bill amends state tax code to eliminate the previous limitation, meaning retirees no longer face a taxable threshold on their military pay. This change applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and does not create new benefits but modifies existing tax treatment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $30k tax cap on military retirement pay, providing tax relief to eligible retirees under tax policy changes.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves $30k tax cap on military retirement pay, expanding tax exemptions for veterans' benefits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 56: VETERAN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES

HB 56 appropriates $1 million from the general fund to New Mexico's Veterans' Services Department for fiscal year 2027. The funding directly assists veterans and their families in identifying and accessing existing behavioral health care services. Key provisions include a one-time allocation with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund by the end of 2027. This bill does not create new services but provides resources to help veterans navigate available care options. It is a funding measure, not a policy change affecting service delivery.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for veterans' behavioral health navigation services, directly funding a public program under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $1M for veterans' behavioral health access, enhancing mental health service navigation without creating new services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates $1M to fund existing veteran behavioral health services navigation, directly supporting access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 116: UNIFORMED SVC. RETIREMENT PAY TAX EXEMPTION

SB 116 removes the $30,000 annual limit on the income tax exemption for uniformed services retirement pay in New Mexico. It directly affects New Mexico residents who are uniformed services retirees (including military, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, NOAA Corps, or National Guard members) or their surviving spouses. The bill changes the law so that all retirement pay from these services qualifies for the tax exemption, rather than only the first $30,000. This exemption applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $30k cap on tax exemption for uniformed retirees, providing broader tax relief for military/veteran retirees under taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves $30k cap on tax exemption for veterans' retirement pay, expanding financial benefit for military retirees and surviving spouses in NM.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Incentives National Guard & Reserve

Track