A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING LICENSING AUTHORITIES TO REEXAMINE CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE LICENSEES CALLED TO ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY.

WHEREAS, thousands of dedicated, earnest and patriotic New Mexicans are members of the New Mexico national guard and the armed forces reserves; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of those New Mexicans have been or will be called to leave their families, jobs and homes to do their part in protecting their country in the war on terror; and

WHEREAS, in performing that duty, New Mexicans who in their civilian lives are required to meet certain requirements, such as a minimum number of hours of continuing education, to maintain professional and occupational licenses will be hard pressed to meet those requirements; and

WHEREAS, many New Mexicans called to duty will be performing similar skills as they perform in civilian life and subject to similar professional supervision and quality assurance as they are in civilian life; and

WHEREAS, while some professional and occupational licensure requirements are set in law and cannot be waived, many others are set by regulation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the various boards, commissions and other authorities with the power to waive certain licensure requirements be requested to do so for those New Mexicans who are members of the New Mexico national guard and the armed forces reserves who are called to duty; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the regulation and licensing department and the various boards, commissions and authorities that grant professional or occupational licenses.