SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 10

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jay C. Block

 

 

 

 

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PROVIDE A FIFTY PERCENT PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR ACTIVE EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS OR RETIRED EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HAVE EARNED AN AMOUNT OF PENSION EQUAL TO ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE RETIREE'S FINAL AVERAGE SALARY AS AN EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDER IF THE ACTIVE OR RETIRED EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDER OCCUPIES THE PROPERTY AS THE PERSON'S PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

 

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

     SECTION 1. It is proposed to amend Article 8, Section 5 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

          "A. The legislature shall exempt from taxation the property of each head of the family in the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000).

          B. The legislature shall exempt from taxation the property, including the community or joint property of married individuals, of every honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States and the [widow or widower] surviving spouse of every such honorably discharged member of the armed forces of the United States, in the sum of:

                (1) in 2006 and in each year through 2023, four thousand dollars ($4,000);

                (2) in 2024, ten thousand dollars ($10,000); and

                (3) in 2025 and each subsequent year, the amount provided in Paragraph (2) of this subsection, adjusted for inflation.

          [C. In every case where exemption is claimed on the ground of the claimant's having served with the armed forces of the United States pursuant to Subsection B of this section, the burden of proving actual and bona fide ownership of such property upon which exemption is claimed shall be upon the claimant.]

          C. The legislature shall exempt from taxation fifty percent of the value of property of each certified emergency first responder, as provided by law, who:

                (1) is active, full-time and certified and has worked as an emergency first responder for at least one year since successfully completing any probationary period required by a local government; or

                (2) is retired and has earned an amount of pension equal to one hundred percent of the person's final average salary as an emergency first responder calculated in accordance with the provisions of the applicable public employees retirement system retirement plan, as provided by law; and

                (3) occupies the property as the primary residence of the first responder.

          D. The burden of proving eligibility for an exemption provided by this section is on the person claiming the exemption."

     SECTION 2. The amendment proposed by this resolution shall be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next general election or at any special election prior to that date that may be called for that purpose.

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