44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT OF WAR-TIME SERVICE FOR A VETERAN TO RECEIVE A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.
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 the amount of two thousand
dollars ($2,000) as follows: in 1989, the legislature shall
exempt from taxation eight hundred dollars ($800), in 1991,
one thousand four hundred dollars ($1,400) and beginning in
1993, 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). 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 which may be called for that purpose.