46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO APPLY THE EXEMPTION FROM PROPERTY TAXATION TO ALL HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
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:
"The legislature shall exempt from taxation the property
of each head of the family [to] in the amount of two thousand
dollars ($2,000). The legislature shall also exempt from
taxation the property, including the community or joint
property of husband and wife, of every honorably discharged
member of the armed forces of the United States [who served in
such armed forces during any period in which they were or are
engaged in armed conflict under orders of the president of the
United States] and the widow or widower of every such honorably
discharged member of the armed forces of the United States, in
the sum of [two thousand dollars ($2,000) in tax years prior to
2003; two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in 2003] three
thousand dollars ($3,000) in 2004; three thousand five hundred
dollars ($3,500) in 2005; and four thousand dollars ($4,000) in
2006 and each subsequent year. Provided, that in every case
where exemption is claimed on the ground of the claimant's
having served with the armed forces of the United States as
aforesaid, the burden of proving actual and bona fide ownership
of such property upon which exemption is claimed, shall be upon
the claimant."
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.