Committee advances amendment to clarify disabled veterans property tax exemption
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Summary
The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee advanced House Bill 285 as amended to clarify administration of New Mexico's disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies only to a disabled veteran's primary residence and streamlines protest timing for county assessors. Supporters said it reduces confusion; members asked agencies for data on non-homeowner veterans.
Representative De La Cruz presented House Bill 285 as amended to the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and said the measure's aim is to "refine New Mexico's disabled veterans property tax exemption" by clarifying eligibility and reducing administrative uncertainty.
The sponsor and staff said the amendment removes duplicative statutory language and makes clear the exemption applies to a disabled veteran's primary residence; they said the change is intended to produce no fiscal impact at the state level while giving county assessors clearer, uniform guidance. "It is important to note ... this bill is expected to have no fiscal impact on state revenues," the sponsor said when summarizing the amendment.
Secretary Jamieson Herrera of the Department of Veterans Services told the committee the department "strongly support[s] this bill" and described coordination with county assessors to ensure consistent implementation across all 33 counties. Ivan Barry, chief deputy assessor for Santa Fe County and chair of the New Mexico counties assessors affiliate, also testified in support, saying assessors welcomed the cleanup.
Madam Chair read a constituent email urging broader attention to veterans who are renters or unhoused, quoting in part: "my goal with these questions is to hold 2 things true ... this bill is fine as a refining tool, and I am grateful as a disabled veteran homeowner," and noting many veterans will not benefit if they do not own homes. Committee members asked agencies to provide follow-up data for the interim, including (a) the share of New Mexico veterans who are both disabled and homeowners and (b) the historical fiscal impact of veteran exemptions on county and special-district tax revenues.
Committee members moved to adopt the amendment (motion noted as moved by Representative Anaya and seconded by Representative Wanda Johnson in the transcript) and later moved a recommendation of 'do pass' on the amended bill. No formal roll-call votes or tallies appear in the transcript; the committee recorded no opposition during the voice votes recorded in this hearing.
The committee directed staff and agency witnesses to supply additional information during the interim about the number of veterans who are homeowners versus renters or unhoused and about county-level fiscal impacts so lawmakers can consider broader housing and outreach measures in future sessions. The committee then moved on to other agenda items.
