HB 494 New Mexico House · 2025 Regular Session

TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR VETERANS

HB 494 would have automated property tax exemptions for veterans in New Mexico, allowing veterans to maintain their exemption without reapplying each year if their eligibility and property ownership remain unchanged. The bill required the Veterans' Services Department to issue eligibility certificates (with a $5 fee for duplicates) and established verification procedures to prevent duplicate claims across counties or properties. It directly affected veterans, veterans' organizations, and county assessors by streamlining exemption processes and clarifying eligibility rules. The bill passed the Senate in March 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on April 11, 2025, so it did not become law.

Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Vetoed

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Vetoed Apr 11, 2025

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What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill streamlines the process for veterans and their families to claim property tax exemptions in New Mexico by allowing automatic renewal of certain exemptions without re-filing, while maintaining requirements for others. It also clarifies notification procedures when exemptions are no longer valid and strengthens penalties for fraudulent claims.

Scope change

The bill expands automatic exemption renewal to head-of-family, veteran, and veterans' organization exemptions, while keeping other exemptions subject to annual claiming requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Head-of-family, veteran, and veterans' organization exemptions will now automatically renew for subsequent tax years if eligibility and property ownership remain unchanged, eliminating the need to re-file annually.

People who lose eligibility for an exemption must notify the county assessor by the last day of February in the tax year following the loss of eligibility.

The Veterans' Services Department must issue certificates of eligibility for veteran and veterans' organization exemptions in a form prescribed by the department, with verification procedures to prevent duplicate claims across counties or properties.

TIMELINE

Required exemptions must now be claimed within 30 days after receiving the county assessor's valuation notice, replacing the previous 23-day deadline.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties for fraudulent exemption claims remain at $1,000 or less, but now explicitly include automatic removal from office or dismissal from employment for county assessors or their employees who knowingly permit ineligible claims.

FISCAL

A $5 fee is established for issuing duplicate certificates of eligibility to veterans or veterans' organizations.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Mar 8, 2025

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic24

22 Yea 2

91% Yea

R Republican16

16 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 11, 2025

Vetoed

executive

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee

upper

Mar 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Labor, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee & House Taxation & Revenue Committee

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors