HOUSE BILL 530

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

      Debra M. Sariñana and Rodolpho "Rudy" S. Martinez and Harry Garcia and Eliseo Lee Alcon and William B. Pratt

AN ACT

RELATING TO LICENSURE; PROVIDING FOR A WAIVER OF FEES FOR AND ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES FOR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, SPOUSES AND THEIR DEPENDENT CHILDREN.

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Uniform Licensing Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] EXPEDITED LICENSURE--ISSUANCE--WAIVER OF

FEES--MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, SPOUSES AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN.-- 

          A. Notwithstanding any other section of Chapter 61 NMSA 1978, a state agency, board or commission that issues a professional or occupational license pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 14E, 17A, 24, 24A and 31 NMSA 1978 shall, as soon as practicable after a military service member files an application for a license:

                (1) waive all required fees and process the application; and

                (2) issue a license valid for a term of three years to a qualified applicant who submits satisfactory evidence that the applicant:

                     (a) holds a license that is current and in good standing issued by another jurisdiction in the United States and that is substantially equivalent to the professional or occupational license the applicant applies for pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 14E, 17A, 24, 24A and 31 NMSA 1978;

                     (b) has provided fingerprints and other information necessary for a state and national criminal background check, if required; and

                     (c) moved to New Mexico within one year of filing an application for license pursuant to this section.

          B. A license issued pursuant to this section is not a provisional license and confers the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as a license issued pursuant to Chapter 61, Articles 2 through 14E, 17A, 24, 24A and 31 NMSA 1978. A license issued pursuant to this section shall not be renewed pursuant to the provisions of this section.

          C. As used in this section, "military service member" means:

                (1) a person who is serving in the armed forces of the United States or in an active reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard;

                (2) that person's spouse; or

                (3) that person's child who is also a dependent for federal income tax purposes."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2019.

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