HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 210

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS; PROVIDING FOR SPECIAL RECREATION AND MUSEUM AND MONUMENT PRIVILEGES FOR CERTAIN NEW MEXICO DISABLED VETERANS.

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

     Section 1. Section 16-2-7.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1999, Chapter 174, Section 2) is amended to read:

     "16-2-7.1. FREE STATE PARK PASSES TO DISABLED VETERANS.--          A. The state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department shall provide [one day use pass for entry into the state parks to a one-hundred] to a fifty percent or more disabled veteran residing in the state:

                (1) one day-use pass for unlimited entry into state parks or recreation areas operated by the division; and

                (2) one three-day camping pass per year for the use of camping areas operated by the division, whether for consecutive or nonconsecutive days.

          B. Proof of disability satisfactory to the division is required to obtain the free passes."

     Section 2. Section 28-13A-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1991, Chapter 93, Section 1) is amended to read:

     "28-13A-1. SPECIAL RECREATION AND MUSEUM PRIVILEGES.--

          A. On the federally designated legal holiday known as "Veterans' Day", any New Mexico resident who provides satisfactory proof that [he] the resident is currently serving or has served in the armed forces of the United States, and [his] the resident's spouse and dependent children, shall be entitled to [free use of]:

                (1) free use of any state park or recreation area operated by the state [park and recreation] parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, including the waiving of all admittance, camping, permit or other user fees or charges; and

                [(2) any exhibit of the museum of New Mexico, the New Mexico museum of natural history and the international space hall of fame.

          B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the museum board of regents and the board of trustees of the museum of natural history shall waive admission fees to museum exhibits and programs for persons entitled to special recreation and museum privileges under this section.

          C. The special recreation and museum privileges described in Subsection A of this section shall be valid only on the federally designated legal holiday known as Veteran's Day.]

                (2) free general admission to any state museum or monument.

          B. The governing boards of state museums and monuments shall waive general museum and monument admission fees for fifty percent or more disabled veterans residing in the state. Proof of disability satisfactory to the governing boards of the state museums and monuments is required to obtain the privileges pursuant to this subsection."

     Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2007.

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