HOUSE BILL 161

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow and Jay C. Block and Alan T. Martinez

and Tara L. Lujan and Debra M. Sariñana

AN ACT

RELATING TO STATE PARKS; PROVIDING TO VETERANS RESIDING IN THE STATE ONE DAY-USE PASS FOR UNLIMITED ENTRY INTO STATE PARKS OR RECREATION AREAS AND ONE CAMPING PASS FOR UNLIMITED USE OF CAMPING AREAS OPERATED BY THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 16-2-7.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1999, Chapter 174, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "16-2-7.1. FREE STATE PARK PASSES TO [DISABLED] VETERANS.--

          A. The state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department shall provide to a [fifty percent or more disabled] veteran residing in the state:

                (1) one day-use pass for unlimited entry into state parks or recreation areas operated by the division; and

                (2) one [three-day] camping pass [per year for the] for unlimited use of camping areas operated by the division [whether for consecutive or nonconsecutive days].

          B. [Proof of disability satisfactory to the division is required to obtain the free passes] As used in this section, "veteran" means a New Mexico resident who:

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

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

                     (b) army reserve, navy reserve, marine corps reserve, air force reserve, coast guard reserve, space force reserve, army national guard or air national guard and was accepted for and assigned to duty for a minimum of six continuous years; or

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

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

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