SENATE BILL 369

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

William F. Burt

AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS; INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVES IN THE DEFINITION OF "VETERAN" IN THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT ACT.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 9-22-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 19, Section 3) is amended to read:

     "9-22-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Veterans' Services Department Act:

          A. "department" means the veterans' services department;

          B. "secretary" means the secretary of veterans' services; and

          C. "veteran" means a New Mexico resident who:

                (1) is a citizen of the United States;

                (2) was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:

                     (a) armed forces of the United States and was accepted for and assigned to active duty in the armed forces of the United States; [and]

                     (b) Army reserve, Navy reserve, Marine Corps reserve, Air Force reserve, Coast Guard reserve, Army National Guard or Air National Guard and was accepted for and assigned to duty for a minimum of six continuous years; or

                     (c) United States public health service commissioned corps or the national oceanic and atmospheric administration commissioned officer corps and served in the capacity of a commissioned officer while on active duty in defense of the United States; and

                (3) was not separated from such service under circumstances amounting to dishonorable discharge."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2012.

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