HOUSE BILL 60

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS' SERVICES; AMENDING THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT ACT TO PROVIDE FOR MILITARY HONORS AT THE FUNERALS OF RESIDENT VETERANS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. Section 9-22-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 19, Section 7) is amended to read:

     "9-22-7. DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.--The department is responsible for:

          A. assisting veterans, their surviving spouses and their children in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims against the United States arising by reason of military or naval service;

          B. assisting veterans, their surviving spouses and their children in establishing the rights and the procurement of benefits that have accrued or may accrue to them pursuant to state law;

          C. disseminating information regarding laws beneficial to veterans, their surviving spouses and their children; [and]

          D. cooperating with agencies of the United States that are or may be established for the beneficial interest of veterans, to which end the department may enter into agreements or contracts with the United States for the purpose of protecting or procuring rights or benefits for veterans; and

          E. establishing and implementing, in cooperation with the New Mexico national guard and local units of veterans organizations, and promulgating rules for a program to provide military honors at the funerals of resident veterans. The department shall reimburse local veterans organizations in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for expenses related to military honors provided at each funeral pursuant to this section." 

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the veterans' services department for expenditure in fiscal year 2010 to establish and implement a program to provide military honors at the funerals of resident veterans. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the general fund.