HOUSE BILL 224

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE DEFENSE; RAISING THE MAXIMUM AGE FOR INITIAL VOLUNTARY APPOINTMENT OR ENLISTMENT IN THE STATE DEFENSE FORCE FROM SIXTY-FOUR TO SEVENTY-FIVE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. Section 20-5-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 318, Section 34) is amended to read:

     "20-5-3. COMPOSITION--ENLISTMENT--APPOINTMENT.--

          A. The state defense force shall consist of persons between the ages of eighteen and [sixty-four] seventy-five years voluntarily appointed or voluntarily enlisted therein and such additional members of the unorganized militia as therein may be appointed, enlisted, enrolled or inducted as provided by law. Volunteer members may be retained beyond age [sixty-four] seventy-five with their consent by direction of the adjutant general.

          B. The officers of the state defense force shall be appointed by the governor and serve at [his] the governor's pleasure. They shall be chosen from the public and private leadership bases within local communities so as to best enable the community to efficiently muster and lead its people and protect its assets and well-being."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2016.

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