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Committee hears bill to restore original filing window for veterans' property tax exemption amid surge in applicants
Summary
Representative Martinez presented House Bill 494 to restore an earlier 30‑day filing window (with a possible 180‑day extension while waiting for a certificate) for veterans seeking property tax exemptions after eligibility broadened, increasing applicants from about 16,000 to more than 51,000.
Representative Martinez presented House Bill 494 to the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. The bill would adjust the filing window for property tax exemptions for veterans so county assessors have a more predictable filing period after the state broadened eligibility from 100% service‑connected disability to as low as 10 percent disability.
Catherine Crociotta, a registered lobbyist for New Mexico Counties, told the committee that when the veterans exemption eligibility widened, the number of applicants rose from about 16,000 to more than 51,000. She said the bill restores an earlier filing timeline: when an assessment is received the veteran would have 30 days from receipt to file; if a veteran is waiting for a certificate of eligibility they could receive an additional 180 days to file.
Crociotta said the bill does not change the Department of Veterans Services’ certification process. Representative Garcia and other members asked whether the department’s certificate requirement or assessor review process would change; witnesses said the certification process remains the same and that the Department of Veterans Services will continue to issue certificates year‑round but the bill brings county filing back into a 30‑day window with the stated extension for pending certificates.
Committee members asked how assessors learn that a homeowner is a veteran. Witnesses said deeds and property transfers do not automatically flag veteran status; historically assessors and the Department of Veterans Services have maintained outreach and notice practices. One witness said the department had an agreement with county assessors to include veterans‑benefit information on valuation notices and that the department runs benefit seminars and processes certificate applications throughout the year.
Committee discussion also noted that House Bill 47, a separate measure referenced in the analysis, contains related enabling language; witnesses said they worked with the sponsor of House Bill 47 and that the two measures address different pieces of the post‑amendment cleanup but do not conflict after amendments.
The portion of the transcript provided does not show a committee vote on House Bill 494.
