Friday, 29 January 2016
ACTION CORPS Weekly
Now Playing: FWD: Ann Markel
January 29, 2016
In This Issue:
1. Winter Storm Impacts Congressional Schedule
2. Draft Registration for Women?
3. Force of the Future Update
4. Desert Storm Memorial Update
5. WWI Memorial Design Selected
1. Winter Storm Impacts Congressional Schedule: Winter storm Jonas caused federal offices to be closed during part of this week forcing Congress to postpone several congressional hearings. The VFW will update you when the hearings are rescheduled.
2. Draft Registration for Women? The VFW attended a press conference today with Selective Service System Director Lawrence Romo, who confirmed that the Pentagon has yet to make a recommendation to Congress to consider changing the registration requirement, but he did give it a 50:50 chance of occurring, now that the combat exclusion clause on women has been eliminated. With few exceptions, all 18 to 25-year-old American male citizens, as well as documented and undocumented immigrants, are required to register. Failure to do so is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, as well as being rendered ineligible for federal student loan grants, federal government employment, and employment with many state and local governments. The Selective Service System is a small, 124-employee independent agency within the Executive Branch. Right now, 16 million 18 to 25-year-old American males are registered; adding women would more than double their workload, but Roma said, if tasked, they could handle the additional workload with about 40 new employees and a slight increase to their $23 million annual budget. Learn more about the Selective Service System at: https://www.sss.gov/.
3. Force of the Future Update: Defense Secretary Ash Carter yesterday took another step toward building a Force of the Future in order for his department to maintain a competitive edge in attracting top talent. This latest announcement focuses on eight military family quality of life initiatives, some of which requires congressional legislation. The new initiatives are:
-- Create 12-Week Paid Maternity Leave Standard: This would double the current leave and immediately put DOD in the top tier of institutions nationally. More than 200,000 women currently serve in uniform, comprising 14.8 percent of enlisted personnel and 17.4 percent of officers.
-- Expand Paternity Leave to 14 Days: The initiative would increase the current 10-day paternity leave to 14.
-- Expand Adoption Leave: DOD currently authorizes three weeks adoptive leave to one parent. For the 84,000 military-to-military marriages, this initiative would provide two weeks of leave for the second parent, as well.
-- Extend CDC Hours to 14 Hours Minimum: Nearly half of all military families have to rely on an additional provider to meet their childcare needs outside the hours provided by military Child Development Centers. This initiative will extend CDC hours to overlap normal working shifts by at least two hours to ensure consistency with the daytime work patterns of the majority of military members.
-- Standardize Mothers’ Rooms: To help transition from maternity leave, DOD will require Mothers’ Rooms at all facilities with more than 50 women assigned. This will result in the improvement or establishment of 3,600 rooms throughout the military.
-- Examine Additional Childcare Options: The three service secretaries will assess childcare options to improve access and usability. To be evaluated are: expanding current capacity at those Child Development Centers where waiting lists exceed 90 days, allowing families to get on waiting lists upon receipt of orders instead of after arriving at new duty stations, creating a universal CDC waiting list application, and to better train CDC directors about interim off-base care resources, new parent mentorship networks, home-based child care, as well as to establish parent advisory boards.
-- Allow Longer Assignments for Family Reasons: DOD will seek an amendment to existing Title 10 authorities to permit service members to remain at current duty stations longer when it is in the best interests of their families. Examples cited were children in their senior year of high school, spouses about to graduate from a local university, and the need to care for a nearby ailing parent. In exchange, service members would incur additional active duty service commitments commensurate with the extension.
-- Provide Egg and Sperm Cryopreservation: The department will cover the cost for active duty members to freeze their sperm or eggs through a pilot program within the current governing rules of TRICARE. One purpose of the pilot is to understand the costs and potential recruiting and retention benefits for providing this medical service. After two years, the pilot may be renewed or service members can pay for additional storage out of pocket. Learn more details about the eight initiatives at: http://www.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0315_Force-of-the-Future.
4. Desert Storm Memorial Update: The VFW spoke before the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission yesterday in support of the proposed National Desert Storm Memorial. The VFW fully supports its creation, as authorized by Resolution 305, which was approved by delegates attending the 115th VFW National Convention in St. Louis, Mo. Getting commission approval is another step in a multilayered process that’s required for any new monument or memorial in Washington, D.C. The eight commissioners were in agreement that the Desert Storm Memorial should be located in Area 1, which encompasses a large portion of the National Mall, as well as across the Potomac River heading towards Arlington National Cemetery. Whether or not the new memorial will be permitted to be built within the portion identified as “The Reserve” is still to be determined. The Reserve is the most coveted area, as it currently encompasses the Vietnam, Korea, World War II, and the District’s World War I monuments.
Learn more about the Desert Storm Memorial at: http://www.ndswm.org/.
5. WWI Memorial Design Selected: The World War I Centennial Commission announced the winning design for a new national memorial. “The Weight of Sacrifice,” created by 25-year-old Joe Weishaar, a 2013 University of Arkansas graduate who now works in Chicago, and New York-based sculptor Sabin Howard, was selected out of five finalists from 350 total entries. The design met the challenge of creating a concept to appropriately honor the service and sacrifice of the nearly 5 million Americans who served, and the more than 116,000 who died. The new national memorial is hoped to be dedicated on Veterans Day 2018, the centennial of the end of “The Great War.” It will be built a block away from the White House in Pershing Park, and include the existing statue of Army Gen. John J. “Blackjack” Pershing, commander of American Expeditionary Forces, and member of VFW Post 27, which was formerly located in the Philippines. See the winning design at: http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/644632/officials-announce-winning-design-concept-for-national-wwi-memorial?source=GovDelivery.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:27 PM MST
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.
This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/28/2016 – House Education Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Education.
01/28/2016—H Reported Do Pass as amended by House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/28/2016 – House Appropriations and Finance Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Health.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
01/28/2016—H Reported Do Pass by House Health.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/28/2016 – House Ways and Means Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/21/2016—H Also referred to House Ways & Means.
01/28/2016—H Reported Do Pass by House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
Bill: HB225
Sponsors: Maestas (D16)
Title: HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ACT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB517) Proposes the Historically Underutilized and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Act, with a stated purpose to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses by encouraging and setting goals for the use of historically underutilized and disadvantaged business by state agencies in all public purchasing decisions.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Indians
Related: 2015:HB517
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/25/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB253
Sponsors: Alcon (D6)
Title: COMPENSATION FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS INVOLVED IN 1980 PENITENTIARY RIOT
Summary: (Almost identical to 2015 HB435) Provides for compensation to Penitentiary of New Mexico correctional officers who are or were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from their involvement during the February 1980 penitentiary riot. Makes a $1.5 million (GF reverting) appropriation to the Corrections Department in FYs 2017 and 2018; limits administrative expenses to a maximum of $100,000.
Subjects: Public Employees/Retirement; State Affairs and State Agencies; Public Safety and Corrections; Appropriations; Public Finance and Budgets
Related: 2015:HB435
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/27/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/27/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/29/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/29/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 01/29/2016—Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee, 2:00 p.m. or 1/2 hour after session, Room 311
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB153
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: HIGHER ED ARTICULATION FOR MILITARY TRAINING
Summary: Requires the Higher Education Department, in coordination with the institutions of higher education in New Mexico, to study, create and implement a consistent policy and develop a single statewide articulation agreement pertaining to the evaluation and award of academic credit based on military training and experience toward Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Subjects: Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/26/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/26/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB186
Sponsors: Campos, P. (D8)
Title: CRITICAL NEEDS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL AT ANGEL FIRE
Summary: Appropriates $311,500 (GF 2017) to the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for the critical needs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park in Angel Fire.
Subjects: Appropriations; Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/26/2016 – Senate Conservation Committee
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Conservation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/26/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 02/02/2016—Senate Conservation Committee, 8:30 a.m., Room 311
Bill: SB201
Sponsors: Sanchez, M. (D29)
Title: JOB TRAINING FOR VETS AND OLDER WORKERS
Summary: Requires that, in any fiscal year, of the development training funds appropriated to the Economic Development Department, at least one‑fourth be expended for training veterans and one‑fourth be expended for training persons 50 years of age or older.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging; Public Finance and Budgets
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/27/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/27/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB229
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: (Duplicate of HB185) The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2016:HB185
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/28/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/27/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/27/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/27/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/28/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SM15
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: NAMING A U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE THE U.S.S. LOS ALAMOS
Summary: (Identical to HM3) Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related: 2016:HM3
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Rules Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 mobile
www.dvs.state.nm.us
New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services
Office of the Secretary
406 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, NM 87501
ATTN: Ray Seva/Public Information Officer
(505) 827-6352 office
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:22 PM MST
Thursday, 28 January 2016
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Good Morning—
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.
This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Education.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Health Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Health.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—House Health Committee, 8:30 a.m., Room 309
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/21/2016—H Also referred to House Ways & Means.
Bill: HB225
Sponsors: Maestas (D16)
Title: HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ACT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB517) Proposes the Historically Underutilized and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Act, with a stated purpose to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses by encouraging and setting goals for the use of historically underutilized and disadvantaged business by state agencies in all public purchasing decisions.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Indians
Related: 2015:HB517
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/25/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB253
Sponsors: Alcon (D6)
Title: COMPENSATION FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS INVOLVED IN 1980 PENITENTIARY RIOT
Summary: (Almost identical to 2015 HB435) Provides for compensation to Penitentiary of New Mexico correctional officers who are or were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder resulting from their involvement during the February 1980 penitentiary riot. Makes a $1.5 million (GF reverting) appropriation to the Corrections Department in FYs 2017 and 2018; limits administrative expenses to a maximum of $100,000.
Subjects: Public Employees/Retirement; State Affairs and State Agencies; Public Safety and Corrections; Appropriations; Public Finance and Budgets
Related: 2015:HB435
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/27/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/27/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—Senate Public Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour after floor session, Room 321
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—Senate Public Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour after floor session, Room 321
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—Senate Public Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour after floor session, Room 321
Bill: SB153
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: HIGHER ED ARTICULATION FOR MILITARY TRAINING
Summary: Requires the Higher Education Department, in coordination with the institutions of higher education in New Mexico, to study, create and implement a consistent policy and develop a single statewide articulation agreement pertaining to the evaluation and award of academic credit based on military training and experience toward Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Subjects: Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/26/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/26/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Scheduled: 01/28/2016—Senate Public Affairs Committee, 1:30 p.m. or 1/2 hour after floor session, Room 321
Bill: SB186
Sponsors: Campos, P. (D8)
Title: CRITICAL NEEDS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL AT ANGEL FIRE
Summary: Appropriates $311,500 (GF 2017) to the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for the critical needs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park in Angel Fire.
Subjects: Appropriations; Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/26/2016 – Senate Conservation Committee
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Conservation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/26/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB201
Sponsors: Sanchez, M. (D29)
Title: JOB TRAINING FOR VETS AND OLDER WORKERS
Summary: Requires that, in any fiscal year, of the development training funds appropriated to the Economic Development Department, at least one‑fourth be expended for training veterans and one‑fourth be expended for training persons 50 years of age or older.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging; Public Finance and Budgets
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/27/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/27/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB229
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: (Duplicate of HB185) The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2016:HB185
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/27/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/27/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/27/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/27/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SM15
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: NAMING A U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE THE U.S.S. LOS ALAMOS
Summary: (Identical to HM3) Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related: 2016:HM3
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Rules Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 mobile
www.dvs.state.nm.us
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 4:09 PM MST
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
From: "Seva, Ray, DVS" <Ray.Seva@state.nm.us>
Subject: Today's Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update for the 2016 NM
Legislature
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:10:03 +0000
[NMDVS Logo (ray's Email version)]
Good Morning—
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.
This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Education.
Scheduled: 01/27/2016—House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee, 8:30 a.m., Room 307
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Health Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Health.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/21/2016—H Also referred to House Ways & Means.
Scheduled: 01/27/2016—House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee, 8:30 a.m., Room 307
Bill: HB225
Sponsors: Maestas (D16)
Title: HISTORICALLY UNDERUTILIZED AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY ACT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB517) Proposes the Historically Underutilized and Disadvantaged Business Opportunity Act, with a stated purpose to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses by encouraging and setting goals for the use of historically underutilized and disadvantaged business by state agencies in all public purchasing decisions.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Indians
Related: 2015:HB517
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/25/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/26/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/26/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/25/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB153
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: HIGHER ED ARTICULATION FOR MILITARY TRAINING
Summary: Requires the Higher Education Department, in coordination with the institutions of higher education in New Mexico, to study, create and implement a consistent policy and develop a single statewide articulation agreement pertaining to the evaluation and award of academic credit based on military training and experience toward Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Subjects: Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
Bill: SB186
Sponsors: Campos, P. (D8)
Title: CRITICAL NEEDS FOR VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL AT ANGEL FIRE
Summary: Appropriates $311,500 (GF 2017) to the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department for the critical needs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park in Angel Fire.
Subjects: Appropriations; Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Conservation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB201
Sponsors: Sanchez, M. (D29)
Title: JOB TRAINING FOR VETS AND OLDER WORKERS
Summary: Requires that, in any fiscal year, of the development training funds appropriated to the Economic Development Department, at least one‑fourth be expended for training veterans and one‑fourth be expended for training persons 50 years of age or older.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging; Public Finance and Budgets
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/25/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/25/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/25/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SM15
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: NAMING A U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE THE U.S.S. LOS ALAMOS
Summary: (Identical to HM3) Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related: 2016:HM3
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Rules Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 mobile
www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 2:38 PM MST
Monday, 25 January 2016
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
Good Morning—
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.
This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Education.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/22/2016 – House Health Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/22/2016—H Referred to House Health.
01/22/2016—H Also referred to House Appropriations & Finance.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/21/2016—H Also referred to House Ways & Means.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB153
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: HIGHER ED ARTICULATION FOR MILITARY TRAINING
Summary: Requires the Higher Education Department, in coordination with the institutions of higher education in New Mexico, to study, create and implement a consistent policy and develop a single statewide articulation agreement pertaining to the evaluation and award of academic credit based on military training and experience toward Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Subjects: Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
Bill: SM15
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: NAMING A U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE THE U.S.S. LOS ALAMOS
Summary: (Identical to HM3) Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related: 2016:HM3
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Rules Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 mobile
www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 1:41 PM MST
Friday, 22 January 2016
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
From: "Seva, Ray, DVS" <Ray.Seva@state.nm.us>
Subject: 2016 New Mexico Legislature (Daily Veteran-Related Legislation
UPDATE)
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 2016 15:35:54 +0000
[NMDVS Logo (ray's Email version)]
Good Morning—
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Legislature—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18. This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned committee hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referral withdrawn from House Rules & Order of Business.
01/21/2016—H Referred to House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs.
01/21/2016—H Also referred to House Ways & Means.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/22/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/22/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB153
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: HIGHER ED ARTICULATION FOR MILITARY TRAINING
Summary: Requires the Higher Education Department, in coordination with the institutions of higher education in New Mexico, to study, create and implement a consistent policy and develop a single statewide articulation agreement pertaining to the evaluation and award of academic credit based on military training and experience toward Associate’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Subjects: Higher Education; State Affairs and State Agencies; Veterans and Military Affairs; Interim Studies and Interim Committees
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/21/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/21/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/21/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
Bill: SM15
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: NAMING A U.S. NAVAL SUBMARINE THE U.S.S. LOS ALAMOS
Summary: (Identical to HM3) Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs
Related: 2016:HM3
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Rules Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Rules.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 cell
www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 11:33 AM MST
Action Corps Weekly
Now Playing: fwd from Ann Markel
Topic: VETERANS
January 22, 2016
In This Issue:
1. Senate Hearing on MyVA Transformation Plan
2. Authorization to Build Medical Facilities
3. TRICARE Nurse Advice Line
4. Are You Registered To Vote?
5. Two Korean War MIAs Identified
1. Senate Hearing on MyVA Transformation Plan: On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing to discuss Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald’s plan to transform VA into a high performance organization. In his testimony, Secretary McDonald outlined 12 breakthrough priorities for 2016, which focus on improving veteran experience, improving employee experience, improving support services, establishing a culture of continuous improvement, and enhancing strategic partnership. Senior Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes submitted testimony offering the VFW’s support for many of the MyVA programs, and provided suggestions to improve others. To read the VFW’s testimony or view a video of the hearing, visit: http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/vas-transformation-strategy-examining-the-plan-to-modernize-va.
2. Authorization to Build Medical Facilities: On Thursday, the Senate passed the “Fiscal Year 2016 Department of Veterans Affairs Seismic Safety and Construction Authorization Act.” This bill will allow VA to begin several major construction projects that were funded in the “Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.” Here is a list of the projects that were authorized:
-- Seismic corrections to buildings in San Francisco, Ca.;
-- Seismic corrections to facilities at the medical center in West Los Angeles, Ca.;
-- Seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach,
Ca.;
-- Construction of an outpatient clinic, administrative space, cemetery, and columbarium in
Alameda, Ca.;
-- Realignment of medical facilities in Livermore, Ca.;
-- Construction of a medical center in Louisville, Ky.;
-- Construction of a replacement community living center in Perry Point, Md.; and
-- Seismic corrections and other renovations to several buildings and construction of a specialty
care building in American Lake,Wa.
We encourage the House to quickly pass this legislation so VA can begin closing these access and safety gaps for veterans to receive care more quickly and in a safe environment.
3. TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: TRICARE has established a Nurse Advice Line (NAL) that is available at no cost to TRICARE beneficiaries in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The NAL is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NAL has health care professionals on staff ready and able to answer urgent care questions, give health care advice, provide assistance locating a doctor, and schedule next-day appointments at military hospitals and clinics. More than half of the calls to the NAL are related to pediatric health concerns, which are routed to the NAL’s experienced team of pediatric registered nurses. The NAL may also answer questions about high fevers, allergic reactions, rashes, and/or accidents, and advise you on the clinically appropriate level of care you should seek for your child. To learn more about the NAL, visit: http://www.tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs/NAL.aspx.
4. Are You Registered To Vote? Every election is important, but many people may not be properly registered to vote. If you have moved, changed your name, changed party affiliation or never registered before, you could be blocked from voting on the day of your primary, caucus or the general election. For more information on registering to vote, visit: https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote.
5. Two Korean War MIAs Identified: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification of remains of two soldiers who had been missing in action since the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors on a date and location to be determined are:
-- Army Pfc. Roy A. Henderson, 18, of Newark, Ohio, was declared MIA in North Korea on July 27, 1950. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
-- Army Cpl. Kenneth R. Stuck, 24, of Hummelstown, Pa., was declared MIA in North Korea on Nov. 2, 1950. He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
To sign up new veterans’ advocates, click here: http://capwiz.com/vfw/mlm/signup.htm.
As always, we want to hear your advocacy stories. To share your stories or photos with us, simply email them directly to vfwac@vfw.org.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 9:12 AM MST
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Legislative Update
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
From: "Seva, Ray, DVS" <Ray.Seva@state.nm.us>
Subject: 2016 New Mexico Legislature (Daily Veteran-Related Legislation
UPDATE)
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 16:12:12 +0000
[NMDVS Logo (ray's Email version)]
Good Morning—
Here is today’s morning’s update on veteran-related legislation introduced in the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18. This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislatioin is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/. You will find information on all introduced legislation, the contact information for legislators, and much more helpful information about the Legislature.
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB185
Sponsors: Adkins (R29)
Title: TAX REFUND DESIGNATION TO VETERANS’ STATE CEMETERY FUND
Summary: The longstanding option for income taxpayers to donate part of their tax refunds to the national veterans’ cemetery in Santa Fe is revised. Now such donations will be deposited instead into the newly created veterans’ state cemetery fund. Proceeds in this fund are appropriated to the Veterans’ Services Department for unspecified purposes.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Taxation, Fees and Audits; Appropriations; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/20/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/21/2016—House Session, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/21/2016—House Session, 10:30 a.m., House Chamber
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Reported from Committees
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
01/20/2016—S Reported germane by Senate Committee on Committees.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/20/2016 – Senate Public Affairs Committee
History: 01/20/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Public Affairs.
01/20/2016—S Also referred to Senate Judiciary.
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: Proposed for introduction
Status: 01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 cell
www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 11:21 AM MST
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Current Legislation of Interest to Veterans
Now Playing: fwd from Ray Seva, Public Information Officer
Topic: VETERANS
From: "Seva, Ray, DVS" <Ray.Seva@state.nm.us>
Subject: 2016 New Mexico Legislature (Daily Veteran-Related Legislation
UPDATE)
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2016 18:03:46 +0000
[NMDVS Logo (ray's Email version)]
Good Morning—
This is the first of what will be a daily E-mail with an updateon veteran-related legislation for the 2016 New Mexico Legislature.
The New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services will provide this Daily Veteran-Related Legislation Update as a courtesy to our state’s veterans for the duration of the Session—which convened at noon on January 19 and adjourns at noon on February 18.
This daily update will contain information about all introduced veteran-related bills/memorials/resolutions--and show their status in the legislative process. The deadline for introduction of all legislation is February 3.
All bills must pass their assigned committee hearings before reaching the floor of the House or Senate for a full vote. If a bill is passed by both chambers, it is then sent to the Governor’s office for possible signature into state law.
___________________
Veterans and active-duty service members are encouraged to attend a bill’s assigned hearings to learn about and show support for these bills. Legislators do take note of large crowds as being indicative of a bill’s importance to the veteran community.
For more information about the 2016 Legislature, go to the 2016 Legislature website at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/
DVS Legislation (2016 Legislature)
Bill: HB17
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: VETERAN REDEFINED TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENT TUITION
Summary: For purposes of qualifying for as resident tuition as a veteran, the definition of the term “veteran” has been revised to mean a New Mexico resident who is a citizen of the United States, was regularly enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the:
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Higher Education; Family and Juveniles
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB73
Sponsors: Hamilton (R38)
Title: WNMU VETERAN PTSD VIRTUAL REALITY TREATMENT PROJECT
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB69) Relating to veterans; continuing a pilot project to treat veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder using virtual reality treatment devices; provides for therapist training; provides for virtual reality therapy curriculum development for the Master’s of Social Work program at Western New Mexico University; and makes an appropriation.
Subjects: Higher Education; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs; Health and Medical Practice
Related: 2015:HB69
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB93
Sponsors: Wooley (R66)
Title: PROCUREMENT PREFERENCES: VETERAN BUSINESS, VETERAN CONTRACTOR & RECYCLED GOODS
Summary: (Similar to 2015 HB557) Relating to procurement; amends the Resident Veteran Business Preference Act to impose limits on resident veteran businesses that may qualify for the 10 percent preference on public bids. Applies the preference to a resident veteran business, including all of its subsidiaries with annual gross revenues up to $3 million in the preceding tax year. Affects formal bids on purchases and public works contracts. Abolishes provision that would have authorized a 5 percent preference for recycled content goods beginning July 1, 2022. Abolishes provision that would have ended the 10 percent veteran contractor preference in 2022.
Subjects: Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Veterans and Military Affairs; State Affairs and State Agencies; County Affairs; Municipalities/City Government
Related: 2015:HB557
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB113
Sponsors: Maestas Barnes (R15)
Title: MOBILITY LIMITATION INDICATORS ON OTHER SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES
Summary: (Conflicts with HB25; essentially identical to 2015 HB464) Directs MVD to establish a design element for vehicle license plates that denotes significant mobility limitation that may be used on another special registration plate (i.e., veterans, radio operator, military, historical, etc.). The design element shall be available, by request, to a person with a significant mobility limitation who also qualifies for the other requested special registration.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Transportation; State Affairs and State Agencies
Related: 2015:HB464
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HB165
Sponsors: Ruiloba (D12)
Title: ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTOR LICENSES TO TEACH JUNIOR ROTC
Summary: (For the Legislative Education Study Committee) Amends the School Personnel Act to provide for alternative instructor licenses for the instruction of Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
Subjects: Schools and Teachers; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – House Rules and Order of Business Committee
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and referred to House Rules & Order of Business.
Bill: HM3
Sponsors: Garcia Richard (D43)
Title: USS LOS ALAMOS
Summary: Endorses the naming of a U.S. naval submarine as the USS Los Alamos.
Subjects: Veterans and Military Affairs; Miscellaneous
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/20/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers
Bill: HM8
Sponsors: Armstrong (D17)
Title: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DAY
Summary: Proclaims Saturday, January 30, 2016, as “Behavioral Health Day” in the House of Representatives.
Subjects: Health and Medical Practice; Human Services; Veterans and Military Affairs; Aging
Progress: Introduced
Status: 01/19/2016 – Speaker's Table
History: 01/19/2016—H Introduced and placed on Speaker's Table.
Scheduled: 01/20/2016—House Calendar, 10:30 a.m., House Chambers
Bill: SB16
Sponsors: Burt (R33); Adkins (R29)
Title: UNIFORMED SERVICES RETIREES INCOME TAX DEDUCTION
Summary: Amends the Income Tax Act to provide an incremental income tax deduction from net income for a uniformed services retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse beginning in 2017 at the following levels:
Subjects: Natural Resources (Parks and Wildlife); Taxation, Fees and Audits; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; Labor
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Corporations & Transportation.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Finance.
Bill: SB29
Sponsors: Brandt (R40)
Title: DEGREE PROGRAM CREDIT FOR MILITARY COURSEWORK
Summary: (For the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee) Requires public or private post‑secondary education institutions operating under New Mexico law (Chapter 21) to determine credit hours for military coursework or military service that is relevant and transferable for a degree program requirement.
Subjects: Higher Education; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: 1st House: Referred to Committee
Status: 01/19/2016 – Senate Committee on Committees
History: 01/19/2016—S Introduced and referred to Senate Committee on Committees.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Education.
01/19/2016—S Also referred to Senate Public Affairs.
Bill: SB99
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOUSING FOR VETS
Summary: (For the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: Proposed for introduction
Status: 01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate
Bill: SB101
Sponsors: Martinez, Richard (D5)
Title: REHAB HOMES OF LOW‑INCOME VETS
Summary: (Endorsed by the Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee) (Identical to SB99) Appropriates $2 million (GF 2017) to the Department of Finance and Administration for FY 2017 for the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority to provide necessary rehabilitation for homes occupied by honorably discharged veterans in New Mexico whose taxable incomes do not exceed 60 percent of the area median income.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Land, Housing and Real Estate; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: Proposed for introduction
Status: 01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate
Bill: SB105
Sponsors: Beffort (R19)
Title: EXPEDITING ISSUANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
Summary: Relates to expediting the process for issuance of occupational and professional licenses to persons who already hold a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States.
Subjects: Labor; Business, Manufacturing and Economic Development; State Affairs and State Agencies
Progress: Proposed for introduction
Status: 01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate
Bill: SB116
Sponsors: Munoz (D4)
Title: GALLUP VETERANS’ SERVICES
Summary: Appropriates $70,000 (GF 2017) to the Veterans’ Services Department for FY 2017 for the salary and benefits for one full‑time‑equivalent position to provide services to veterans in Gallup.
Subjects: State Affairs and State Agencies; Appropriations; Veterans and Military Affairs
Progress: Proposed for introduction
Status: 01/19/2016 – Prefiled in the Senate
Respectfully,
Ray Seva
Public Information Officer,
New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services
(505) 362-6089 cell
www.dvs.state.nm.us<http://www.dvs.state.nm.us/>
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 2:41 PM MST
Saturday, 5 December 2015
VFW Action Corps Weekly, December 4, 2015
Topic: VETERANS
Subject: FW: VFW Action Corps Weekly, December 4, 2015
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2015 15:26:15 -0700
December 4, 2015
In This Issue:
1. VFW Testifies at Senate Hearing
2. VA Implements Changes to the Choice Program
3. VFW Participates in Congressional Roundtable
4. Avoid Higher TRICARE Copayments for Maintenance Drugs
5. SECEF Opens All Career Fields to Women
6. Draft Registration for Women?
7. Remember Pearl Harbor
8. MIA Recovery Update
1. VFW Testifies at Senate Hearing: On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans'
Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, "Consolidating Non-VA Care
Programs." The purpose of the hearing was to evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of the Choice Program, looking for ways to improve how veterans
receive care in their local communities. VFW Legislative Director Ray Kelley
testified on behalf of the Independent Budget (IB), laying out the IB's
vision for the future of non-VA care. He offered several suggestions,
including strengthening partnerships with local providers, removing
arbitrary distance and wait time requirements, and improving access to
emergency and urgent care. The IB plan is based on the findings of several
surveys on the satisfaction and preferences of VFW members. Improving health
care access by streamlining the non-VA care program is a top priority for
the VFW. To watch a video of the hearing and read the testimony, click here:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/KXLOVQOEUC/11085759801>
http://www.veterans.senate.gov/hearings/consolidating-non-va-care-programs12
022015.
2. VA Implements Changes to the Choice Program: This week, VA made several
changes to the Choice Program in response to the VFW's advocacy, recent
legislation and the work of other stakeholders. The first change requires VA
to consider a veteran's health care conditions when determining eligibility.
Moving forward, veterans who have health care conditions that limit their
ability to travel to a VA medical facility for treatment will be eligible to
receive care closer to home, regardless if they live less than 40 miles from
a VA outpatient clinic. VA's examples include: "routine and simple
procedures, such as simple tests or treatments like an allergy test or an
immunization, may be sought through the Veterans Choice Program. Similarly,
if a veteran needs repeated appointments for a course of treatment, such as
chemotherapy."
The second change expands eligibility to veterans who live more than 40
miles from a full-time VA primary care physician. This means that veterans
who live within 40 miles of a VA outpatient clinic that does not have a
full-time primary care physician will become eligible for the program.
The third change requires that VA work with the Choice Program's
administrators (TriWest and HealthNet) to contact veterans who become
eligible for the Choice Program to schedule appointments. Before this
change, veterans were required to call the Choice Program's call center
(866-606-8198) to initiate their Choice Program appointments. Now, HealthNet
and TriWest will contact veterans directly to schedule their appointments,
similar to when a VA specialty clinic contacts a veteran to schedule an
appointment when the veteran has been referred to the clinic by his or her
primary care provider. Veterans with questions about the Choice Program or
those who want to check on the status of their appointments should continue
to contact the call center. To learn more about the Choice Program or find
out if you are eligible, visit:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/NGZNVQOEUD/11085759801>
http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/.
3. VFW Participates in Congressional Roundtable: On Wednesday, VFW Senior
Legislative Associate Carlos Fuentes participated in a House Veterans'
Affairs Committee roundtable on VA employment practices. The discussion
focused on ways Congress can ensure VA has the authority to recruit, employ,
and retain high quality health care employees. Fuentes stated that VA needs
to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors and nurses to ensure
veterans have access to the health care they need. Fuentes also informed the
committee that VA faces high turnover and attrition of frontline staff who
answer phones, schedule appointments, and conduct other administrative tasks
that are essential for the operation of VA medical facilities. Fuentes
recommended that Congress give VA more flexibility to quickly hire frontline
staff. To learn more about what the VFW is doing to improve veterans' access
to care, visit our VA Watch webpage at:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/BDTLVQOEUE/11085759801>
http://www.vfw.org/VAWatch/.
4. Avoid Higher TRICARE Copayments for Maintenance Drugs: In October,
TRICARE implemented a change made by the National Defense Authorization Act
that requires select brand name maintenance drugs to be filled at military
pharmacies or through TRICARE home delivery. The new rule allowed
beneficiaries to get two 30-day refills of an affected drug from a retail
pharmacy. For many, those two refills will run out in December and their
next prescription refill needs to be through home delivery or at a military
pharmacy. Those who do not move their prescriptions will be required to pay
the full cost at retail pharmacies. Active duty service members, overseas
beneficiaries, and other beneficiaries who are prescribed generic drugs can
continue using retail pharmacies. To learn more about the rule change,
request a waiver, or learn how to switch to home delivery or a military
pharmacy, visit:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/OTGWVQOEUF/11085759801>
http://www.tricare.mil/RxNewRules. For a list of affected prescription
drugs, visit:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/FUERVQOEUG/11085759801>
http://www.health.mil/selectdruglist.
5. SECEF Opens All Career Fields to Women: Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
announced his decision yesterday to open all remaining military occupation
specialties to women. The move could open up about 220,000 combat arms
branch positions primarily in the Army and Marine Corps, as well as
opportunities in the Navy SEALs and Air Force pararescue and tactical air
control party fields, among others. In making the announcement, Carter
stressed that equal opportunity doesn't necessarily mean equal participation
in all specialties, and that there would be no quotas. DOD has 30 days in
which to present its plan to Congress. VFW National Commander John
Biedrzycki said women have served honorably and bravely throughout our
nation's history. "We support this new opportunity that allows them to
continue to serve in career fields previously barred, not because of their
ability, but solely because of their gender," he said. "Serving in direct
line units, and especially in behind-the-line special operations units, are
privileges that have to be earned, but as long as the standards for the job
are maintained, then the VFW wishes everyone much success." Read more at:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/ERNSVQOEUH/11085759801>
http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/632536/carter-opens-all-mil
itary-occupations-positions-to-women?source=GovDelivery.
6. Draft Registration for Women? With the elimination of the combat
exclusion clause, the next question is whether women will now be required to
register with the Selective Service System. According to officials, stay
tuned. No decision will be made until Congress has had time to review the
Defense Department report, which will include their views on whether the
Military Selective Service Act should be changed. With few exceptions, all
18 to 25-year-old American male citizens are required to register. Failure
to do so is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a
$250,000 fine. The Selective Service System, which is a small, independent
federal agency within the Executive Branch, is on standby and prepared to
act as directed. Right now, 16 million 18 to 25-year-old American males are
registered; adding women would more than double their workload.
7. Remember Pearl Harbor: VFW Posts and members nationwide will be
commemorating the 74th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Monday,
Dec. 7, to include VFW National Commander John Biedrzycki, who will be
joined by members of the VFW Department of Hawaii for the ceremony that this
year is being held on Naval Base Pearl Harbor. That ceremony will stream
live at: <http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/MBSUVQOEUI/11085759801>
http://www.pearlharborevents.com/live-stream/. Visitors to Washington, D.C.,
are invited to attend ceremonies at the National World War II Memorial at
1:53 p.m. Read more here:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/AIFCVQOEUJ/11085759801>
http://www.wwiimemorialfriends.org/.
8. MIA Recovery Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recently
announced identifications of remains and burial updates for one Marine and
three soldiers who had been missing in action from World War II, Korea and
Vietnam. Returned home are:
-- Marine Corps Cpl. James D. Otto, 20, of Los Angeles, will be buried with
full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 8. He was killed
in action on Nov. 20, 1943, while fighting on the Pacific island of Tarawa.
He was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine
Division. Read more at:
<http://capwiz.com/vfw/utr/1/FZKFVQOETJ/BHGIVQOEUK/11085759801>
http://www.dpaa.mil/NewsStories/NewsReleases/tabid/10159/Article/632492/mari
ne-missing-from-world-war-ii-accounted-for-otto.aspx.
-- Army Sgt. Robert C. Dakin, 22, will be buried with full military honors
on Dec. 12 in his hometown of Waltham, Mass. He was assigned to Company L,
3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, when he was
lost in North Korea on Dec. 12, 1950.
-- Army Sgt. Billy J. Williams, who was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance
Company, 2nd Infantry Division, was lost in North Korea on Feb. 14, 1951.
-- Army Sgt. 1st Class Billy D. Hill, 21, of Fallon, Nev., was assigned to
the 282nd Aviation Company, 14th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group,
1st Aviation Brigade, when he was lost in Vietnam on Jan. 21, 1968.
Posted by vfwpost3274
at 10:55 AM MST
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