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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE AN

INTERIM VETERANS' AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, there are approximately two hundred thousand

veterans of the United States armed forces and the New Mexico

national guard who reside in this state; and

WHEREAS, veterans' affairs is a key policy issue for the

legislature; and

WHEREAS, more than seventy bills related to military and

veterans' issues were introduced in the first session of the

forty-eighth legislature; and

WHEREAS, more than twenty bills related to military and

veterans' issues have been introduced in the second session

of the forty-eighth legislature; and

WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes an overdue need to

focus on veterans' affairs; and

WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes a responsibility to

coordinate legislative initiatives related to veterans'

affairs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council

be requested to create an interim veterans' affairs oversight

committee to work with the veterans' services department, the

department of military affairs and related agencies to:

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A. review the functions of state agencies and

tribal entities involved in providing services to veterans to

determine if the current division of responsibilities for

veterans' affairs among state agencies and tribal entities

can be improved for greater efficiency;

B. review state statutes related to veterans' and

military affairs for consistency and potential conflict;

C. review the needs of veterans and the services

provided by federal, state and tribal governments to

determine if veterans' needs are being appropriately met; and

D. make recommendations for legislative

initiatives to address the findings of the committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the veterans' affairs

oversight committee develop recommendations by

November 30, 2008 to assist the veterans' services department

in formulating legislative proposals necessary to implement

its recommendations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services, the

adjutant general of the department of military affairs and the

co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.