The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services will provide you with this daily courtesy update for the duration of the Session.  It will contain information about the introduced Bills/Memorials/Resolutions and show their status in the legislative process.
 
The list will grow as more legislation is introduced on the chamber floors of the State Senate and House of Representatives.  
 
For more information about the 2013 Legislature, go to the Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov.
 
The New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services fully supports these veteran-related pieces of legislation. We encourage you to contact your local legislators to voice your support for these measures.  You can find the contact information of all legislators at:  
www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bill:               HB15
Sponsors:    Anderson (R29)
Title:            TAXATION: ARMED FORCES RETIREES' INCENTIVE TAX CREDIT
Summary:    Adds a new section to the Income Tax Act to provide a phased in annual state income tax credit of up to $1,000 to encourage military retirees to move to New Mexico and use their expertise in its work force.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation and Fees; Public Employees/Retirement
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – House Taxation and Revenue Committee
History:        12/18/2012-H Prefiled in the House.
                     01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Taxation & Revenue.
                     01/16/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB16
Sponsors:    Anderson (R29)
Title:            FUNDING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF USS NEW MEXICO SUBMARINE
Summary:    Appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Military Affairs for FY2014 to educate the public on the mission of the nuclear‑powered submarine USS New Mexico, sponsor the visit of its crew to the state, and recognize its top sailors each quarter and each year.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/24/2013 – House Appropriations and Finance Committee
History:        12/18/2012-H Prefiled in the House.
                     01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/16/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
                     01/24/2013-H Reported Do Pass by House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
Bill:               HB36
Sponsors:    Hamilton (R38)
Title:            VETERANS' PTSD TREATMENT PILOT PROJECT
Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee) (Identical to 2012 HHGAC substitute for HB101) Appropriate $250,000 (GF) to the Veterans' Services Department for a pilot program to treat veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with virtual reality therapy. Funding is for use from FY2014 through FY2017.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies; Interim Studies and Interim Committees; Information Technology; Higher Education; Health and Medical Practice
Related:       2012:HB101
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – House Education Committee
History:        12/28/2012-H Prefiled in the House.
                     01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Education.
                     01/16/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB102
Sponsors:    Martinez, Rudolpho (D39)
Title:            DEMOLISH FORT BAYARD MEDICAL CENTER
Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee) Appropriates $5 million (GF) to GSD's Property Control Division to demolish the Fort Bayard Medical Center owned by the state.
Subjects:     Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/16/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB141
Sponsors:    Wooley (R66)
Title:            FORT STANTON STATE MONUMENT CEMETERY
Summary:    (Endorsed by the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee) Appropriates $750,000 (GF nonreverting) to the Cultural Affairs Department to improve and maintain the cemetery at the Fort Stanton State Monument, contingent on the department receiving a grant of $7.5 million from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Cultural Affairs; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/17/2013 – House Appropriations and Finance Committee
History:        01/17/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB174
Sponsors:    Clahchischilliage (R4)
Title:            NATIVE AMERICAN SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Summary:    Appropriates $155,000 (GF) to the Veterans' Services Department to train Native American veterans as counselors and administer a suicide prevention program involving youth and their families in Cibola, McKinley and San Juan counties.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; Health and Medical Practice; Indians; Family and Juveniles
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/22/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/22/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/22/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB175
Sponsors:    Steinborn (D35)
Title:            WAIVER OF UTILITY CONNECTION FEES FOR MILITARY
Summary:    Provides that a municipal resident who is called to active military duty or temporary assignment outside the municipality may have any or all of his municipal, utility, cable and telecommunications services, suspended and later reconnected at no charge.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Utilities; Municipalities/City Government; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/22/2013 – House Business and Industry Committee
History:        01/22/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Business & Industry.
                     01/22/2013-H Also referred to House Judiciary.
Bill:               HB180
Sponsors:    Martinez, Rudolpho (D39)
Title:            EXPEDITED OCCUPATION LICENSING FOR MILITARY AND VETERANS
Summary:    Provides for expedited occupational and professional licensing of military service members, their spouses, and veterans who are licensed in another jurisdiction.
Subjects:     State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/22/2013 – House Business and Industry Committee
History:        01/22/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Business & Industry.
                     01/22/2013-H Also referred to House Judiciary.
Bill:               HB186
Sponsors:    McMillan (R37)
Title:            DISABLED MILITARY MAY HUNT ORYX AT RESIDENT FEE
Summary:    Allows nonresident disabled military members and veterans enrolled in a qualified rehabilitation program involving hunting to purchase a license to hunt oryx at the resident oryx license fee.
Subjects:     Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/22/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/22/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/22/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB207
Sponsors:    Jeff (D5)
Title:            NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIVISION CREATED
Summary:    Creates the Native American Veterans Division within the Veterans' Services Department to carry out the following statutory duties:
Subjects:     Indians; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/23/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/23/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
Bill:               HB233
Sponsors:    Wooley (R66)
Title:            APPROPRIATION TO TREAT PTSD
Summary:    Appropriates $250,000 (GF) to the Department of Health for expenditure in FY 2014 to contract for services to treat veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/24/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/24/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/24/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB246
Sponsors:    Dodge (D63)
Title:            SERVICE MEMBER CHILD CUSTODY ACT
Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee) (Identical to 2011 HB108) Proposes a Service Member Child Custody Act that would modify existing procedures for custody, time‑sharing or visitation orders for children of service members and prohibit the entry of final modifications or orders while the service member is absent pursuant to military orders. Permits a service member to delegate visitation rights. Provides for an expedited hearing, including electronic testimony, when the service member will be unavailable pursuant to military orders.
Subjects:     Family and Juveniles; Courts and Civil Matters; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/25/2013 – House Judiciary Committee
History:        01/25/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Judiciary.
Bill:               HB247
Sponsors:    Dodge (D63)
Title:            HIGHER ED: MILITARY WAR VETERAN SCHOLARSHIPS
Summary:    (Almost identical to HB438 in 2011) Creates in the state treasury the nonreverting Military War Veteran Scholarship Fund to be administered by the Higher Education Department to reimburse state post‑secondary institutions for tuition payments, student fees and book allowances for military war veteran students including those perusing a master's degree at a state institution.
Subjects:     Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related:       2011:HB438
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/25/2013 – House Education Committee
History:        01/25/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Education.
                     01/25/2013-H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill:               HB272
Sponsors:    Archuleta (D36)
Title:            FREE ELK HUNTING FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Summary:    Requires the Department of Game and Fish to reserve at least five free elk licenses for veterans with service‑related disabilities of at least 50 percent.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife)
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/25/2013 – House Health, Government and Indian Affairs Committee
History:        01/25/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
Bill:               HJM3
Sponsors:    Hamilton (R38)
Title:            APPROVAL PROTOCOL FOR VETERANS' EDUCATION LEGISLATION
Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee) Requests the congressional delegation to utilize the “New Mexico State Approving Agency” and the “National Association of State‑Approving Agencies” when Congress is considering legislation that could affect education benefits for New Mexico veterans.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress:     2nd House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/29/2013 – Senate Rules Committee
History:        12/28/2012-H Prefiled in the House.
                     01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/24/2013-H Reported Do Pass by House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/28/2013-H Removed from Speaker's table.
                     01/28/2013-H Opened for floor debate.
                     01/28/2013-H Passed 65‑0.
                     01/29/2013-S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Rules.
                     01/29/2013-S Also referred to Senate Education.
Bill:               HJM4
Sponsors:    Martinez, Rudolpho (D39)
Title:            VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
Summary:    (For the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee) Expresses gratitude for the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans and requests that the Governor declare March 29, 2013 as Vietnam Veterans Day in New Mexico.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     2nd House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/28/2013 – President's Table
History:        12/28/2012-H Prefiled in the House.
                     01/16/2013-H Introduced.
                     01/16/2013-H Not referred to committee, placed on Speaker's table.
                     01/25/2013-H Removed from Speaker's table.
                     01/25/2013-H Opened for floor debate.
                     01/25/2013-H Passed 70‑0.
                     01/28/2013-S Received in the Senate and placed on President's Table.
Scheduled:  01/31/2013-Senate Calendar, 10:30 a.m., Senate Chambers
Bill:               HJM6
Sponsors:    McCamley (D33)
Title:            ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO'S VETERANS
Summary:    Requests the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide additional funding and personnel to the department's Albuquerque Regional Office to expedite processing of veterans' requests and appeals; and requests the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to address various issues affecting the state's veterans.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     2nd House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/29/2013 – Senate Rules Committee
History:        01/16/2013-H Introduced and referred to House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/24/2013-H Reported Do Pass by House Health, Government & Indian Affairs.
                     01/28/2013-H Removed from Speaker's table.
                     01/28/2013-H Opened for floor debate.
                     01/28/2013-H Passed 70‑0.
                     01/29/2013-S Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Rules.
                     01/29/2013-S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill:               SB96
Sponsors:    Sharer (R1)
Title:            INCOME TAX EXEMPTION FOR MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY
Summary:    (Similar to 2012 SCORC substitute for SB129) Creates an exemption from the Income Tax Act for uniformed service retirees and their surviving spouses. The exemption is equal to a percentage of the retiree's retirement or retainer pay.
Subjects:     Taxation and Fees; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related:       2012:SB129
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History:        01/16/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
                     01/16/2013-S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill:               SB112
Sponsors:    Ortiz y Pino (D12); O'Neill (D13)
Title:            GUARDIAN AND CONSERVATOR POWERS AFTER DEATH OF PROTECTED PERSON
Summary:    (Similar to 2011 HB271) Upon the death of a protected person, the person's guardian or conservator must submit notice of the death to the appointing court and any relatives of the protected person. For one year following the death of a protected person, the guardian or conservator must continue to exercise powers including arranging and paying for a funeral, receiving medical or financial records, requesting an autopsy, filing financial documents, and terminating the guardianship or conservatorship relationship in the appointing court.
Subjects:     Courts and Civil Matters; Human Services; Family and Juveniles
Related:       2011:HB271
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History:        01/16/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
                     01/16/2013-S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Scheduled:  01/31/2013-Senate Public Affairs Committee, 2:00 p.m. or 1/2 hour after Floor Session, Room 321
Bill:               SB162
Sponsors:    Pinto (D3)
Title:            NATIVE AMERICAN SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM
Summary:    Appropriates $155,000 (GF) to the Veterans' Services Department to train Native American veterans as counselors and administer a suicide prevention program involving youth and their families in Cibola, McKinley and San Juan counties.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Indians; Family and Juveniles; State Affairs and State Agencies; Health and Medical Practice
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/29/2013 – Senate Finance Committee
History:        01/21/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Indian & Cultural Affairs.
                     01/21/2013-S Also referred to Senate Finance.
                     01/29/2013-S Reported Do Pass by Senate Indian & Cultural Affairs.
Bill:               SB195
Sponsors:    Payne (R20)
Title:            BATAAN‑CORREGIDOR HERITAGE MONTH
Summary:    Designates the month of April “Bataan‑Corregidor Heritage Month.”
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress:     2nd House: Passed
Status:         01/30/2013 – Passed in the House
History:        01/22/2013-S Introduced.
                     01/22/2013-S Not referred to committee, placed on President's table.
                     01/23/2013-S Removed from President's table.
                     01/23/2013-S Placed on Senate Calendar.
                     01/23/2013-S Opened for floor debate.
                     01/23/2013-S Passed 38‑0.
                     01/23/2013-H Not referred to committee, placed on Speaker's table.
                     01/30/2013-H Removed from Speaker's table.
                     01/30/2013-H Opened for floor debate.
                     01/30/2013-H Passed 70‑0.
Bill:               SB258
Sponsors:    Burt (R33)
Title:            EXPEDITED LICENSING APPLICATIONS FOR MILITARY, RECENT VETERANS AND SPOUSES
Summary:    Requires all state agencies, boards or commissions that issue occupational or professional licenses pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Act to expedite applications filed by a military service member or spouse, or a recent veteran. Applies only to applications filed on or after July 1, 2013. A license must be issued to such an applicant who submits satisfactory evidence of a current license in another jurisdiction, including a branch of the armed forces. However, licensing requirements in the other jurisdiction must be substantially the same as those in New Mexico.
Subjects:     Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/24/2013 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History:        01/24/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
                     01/24/2013-S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill:               SB322
Sponsors:    Campos, P. (D8)
Title:            VETERANS TRANSPORTATION TO V.A. MEDICAL CENTER
Summary:    Appropriates $75,000 (GF) to the Department of Health for FY2014 expenses for the transportation of veterans residing in San Miguel, Mora and Guadalupe counties from a central location in Las Vegas to the V.A. Medical Center in Albuquerque.
Subjects:     Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice; County Affairs
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/29/2013 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History:        01/29/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
                     01/29/2013-S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill:               SM2
Sponsors:    Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title:            VOLUNTEER CIVILIAN MOTORCYCLE TRAFFIC ESCORTS
Summary:    Requests the Department of Public Safety and Department of Transportation to convene a task force to study implementation of a program to train volunteer civilian motorcycle traffic escorts, to include a review and analysis of current legislation pertaining to authorized emergency vehicles, licensing requirements, and funeral and military procession escort rights of way.
Subjects:     Transportation; Public Safety and Corrections; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress:     1st House: Referred to Committee
Status:         01/16/2013 – Senate Rules Committee
History:        01/16/2013-S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
                     01/16/2013-S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.