HOUSE BILL 1029

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson

AN ACT

RELATING TO ARMED FORCES; CREATING THE MILITARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND; PROVIDING FOR LOANS TO NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES SERVING ON ACTIVE DUTY OR TO THEIR SPOUSES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. MILITARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE FUND.--The "military family assistance fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall be administered by the veterans' services department and shall consist of appropriations, grants, donations, bequests and loan repayments. Money in the fund is appropriated to the veterans' services department to provide low-interest loans to New Mexico residents who are members of the armed forces of the United States serving on active duty or to their spouses. Disbursements from the fund shall be by warrant of the secretary of veterans' services upon vouchers signed by the secretary or the secretary's designee. Money in the fund shall not revert to the general fund at the end of a fiscal year.

     Section 2. MILITARY LOAN ASSISTANCE.--The veterans' services department shall provide low-interest loans from the military family assistance fund to New Mexico residents who are members of the armed forces of the United States serving on active duty or to their spouses who demonstrate to the veterans' services department on a form prescribed by the department that the member is serving on active duty. Loan repayments shall be made to the military family assistance fund. The veterans' services department may adopt rules to administer the provisions of this section.

     Section 3. APPROPRIATION.--Five million dollars ($5,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the military family assistance fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2005 and subsequent fiscal years to provide low-interest loans to New Mexico residents who are members of the armed forces of the United States who are serving on active duty and to their spouses. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall revert to the general fund.

- 2 -