HOUSE BILL 550

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Sandra D. Jeff

AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS' SERVICES; CREATING A NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIVISION WITHIN THE VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 9-22-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 19, Section 4) is amended to read:

     "9-22-4. DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED.--The "veterans' services department" is created in the executive branch. The department is a cabinet department and includes the following divisions:

          A. the administrative services division;

          B. the field services division;

          C. the [state approving] Native American veterans division; and

          D. the state benefits division."

     SECTION 2. A new section of the Veterans' Services Department Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS DIVISION.--The Native American veterans division shall:

          A. conduct outreach to Native American veterans and Native American veterans organizations;

          B. act as a liaison between Native American veterans and Native American veterans organizations and the department, the state and the federal government; and

          C. assist Native American veterans to organize and advocate for benefits and services unique to Native Americans."

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