RELATING TO THE ARMED FORCES; PROVIDING STATE BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AND DEPLOYED AND FOR THE SURVIVING CHILDREN OF A MEMBER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

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

Section 1. STATE BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES CALLED TO ACTIVE DUTY AND DEPLOYED--BENEFITS FOR SURVIVING CHILDREN OF A MEMBER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.--

A. A New Mexico resident who is a member of the New Mexico national guard or of a branch of the federal armed forces and who is called to active duty and is deployed and serves during the period beginning on the effective date of this section and ending on the date the president of the United States declares that the emergency requiring the

call-up is terminated is entitled to the following benefits, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary:

(1) a free general hunting and fishing license for the year following the year of the member's deactivation and return to the state;

(2) an extension of one year after the return of the member to the state of the date the member is required to file a state personal income tax return if the filing date occurs while the member is on active duty and deployed;

(3) an extension for one month after the member's return to the state of the date to renew a driver's license if the renewal date occurs while the member is on active duty and deployed; and

(4) a refund or credit of tuition paid to a state post-secondary educational institution for attendance during a period when the attendance of the member was interrupted by activation and deployment.

B. The surviving children of a New Mexico resident who was a member of the New Mexico national guard or of a branch of the federal armed forces and who was killed in the line of duty after being called to active duty and deployed during the period beginning on the effective date of this section and ending on the date the president of the United States declares that the emergency requiring the call-up is terminated are entitled to waivers of tuition for four consecutive years at a state post-secondary educational institution, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.

Section 2. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.