NMDVS Legislative Agenda 51 st Legislature January 21 – February 20, 2014

NMDVS Legislative Agenda State Veteran Cemetery Program New Mexico is a very rural state with surviving family members having to travel hours to bury their service member one of two national cemeteries, Santa Fe and Ft. Bayard. The VA-NCA will fund 90% of a complete build out if the state will guarantee care and maintenance in perpetuity DVS is developing a program and will apply for the NCA grant once the state appropriates the 10% match Cemeteries would be located in rural areas of the state DVS and Governor have hosted several town hall meetings across the state to gauge local support The estimated initial funding will be – $600,000 state funds match – $6,000,000 in federal grant funding

NMDVS Legislative Agenda Service Member Child Custody Protection Act Under current statute, there is no specific protection for a service member who has an existing child custody agreement SSMCCPA would allow local courts to stay any proceedings in the event that a service member is deployed Allows for that service member to designate a family member to visit the child when it is in the best interest of that child Is supported by DoD through their Joining Forces Project for Military Families Supported by the NM State Bar Family Law Section, DMA Seeking support from the 2 nd Judicial District Family Court

NMDVS Legislative Agenda Military Retiree Personal Income Tax Exemption Effective Tax Rate Credit of 5% or $ New Mexico is home to over 20,000 military retirees Currently only one of four states that does not offer some type of tax incentive Military retirees account for over $50 billion in federal flow through dollars nationwide Create businesses, bring their own social infrastructure, motivated and highly trained workforce Would be taxed on any income from second career Family members would also pay personal income taxes on their employment Average age – 44 Average military rank – E-6

Possible Legislation Disabled Veteran Property Tax Waiver Clarification Veteran Business Incubator PTSD Virtual Reality Treatment