SENATE MEMORIAL 23

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph J. Carraro

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE AN INTERIM VETERANS' AFFAIRS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

     WHEREAS, there are approximately two hundred thousand veterans of the United States armed forces and the New Mexico national guard who reside in this state; and

     WHEREAS, veterans' affairs is a key policy issue for the legislature; and

     WHEREAS, more than seventy bills related to military and veterans' issues were introduced in the first session of the forty-eighth legislature; and

     WHEREAS, more than twenty bills related to military and veterans' issues have been introduced in the second session of the forty-eighth legislature; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes an overdue need to focus on veterans' affairs; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature recognizes a responsibility to coordinate legislative initiatives related to veterans' affairs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to create an interim veterans' affairs oversight committee to work with the veterans' services department, the department of military affairs and related agencies to:

          A. review the functions of state agencies and tribal entities involved in providing services to veterans to determine if the current division of responsibilities for veterans' affairs among state agencies and tribal entities can be improved for greater efficiency;

          B. review state statutes related to veterans' and military affairs for consistency and potential conflict;

          C. review the needs of veterans and the services provided by federal, state and tribal governments to determine if veterans' needs are being appropriately met; and

          D. make recommendations for legislative initiatives to address the findings of the committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the veterans' affairs oversight committee develop recommendations by November 30, 2008 to assist the veterans' services department in formulating legislative proposals necessary to implement its recommendations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of veterans' services, the adjutant general of the department of military affairs and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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