New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB285: DISABLED VETERAN PROPERTY TAX CHANGES
Status: Signed into law, February 25, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to taxation; amending the disabled veteran property tax exemption; clarifying occupancy requirements; clarifying exemption determinations for properties with multiple ownership interests; providing protest procedures and procedures to claim the exemption; declaring an emergency.
From the enrolled text, February 25, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION; AMENDING THE DISABLED VETERAN PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION; CLARIFYING OCCUPANCY REQUIREMENTS; CLARIFYING EXEMPTION DETERMINATIONS FOR PROPERTIES WITH MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP INTERESTS; PROVIDING PROTEST PROCEDURES AND PROCEDURES TO CLAIM THE EXEMPTION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 7-37-5.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2000, Chapter 92, Section 1 and Laws 2000, Chapter 94, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "7-37-5.1. DISABLED VETERAN EXEMPTION.-- A. As used in this section: (1) "disabled veteran" means an individual who: (a) has been honorably discharged from membership in the armed forces of the United States or has received a discharge certificate from a branch of the armed forces of the United States for civilian service recognized pursuant to federal law as service in the armed forces of the United States; and (b) has been determined pursuant to federal law to have a permanent service-connected disability; and (2) "honorably discharged" means discharged HB 285/a/ec Page from the armed forces pursuant to a discharge other than a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge. B. The property of a disabled veteran, including joint or community property of the veteran and the veteran's spouse, is exempt from property taxation in an amount equal to the percentage of the veteran's disability as determined by federal …
Sponsors
- Art De La Cruz (D, HD-012) · primary sponsor
- Alan T. Martinez (R, HD-023)
- Debra M. Sariñana (D, HD-021)
- Harold Pope (D, SD-023)
- Luis M. Terrazas (R, HD-039)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 9 - Feb. 25
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:40 N:0
- : STBTC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to STBTC - Referrals: STBTC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:67 N:0
- : HTRC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : HLVMC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation with amendment(s)
- : Sent to HLVMC - Referrals: HLVMC/HTRC
- : Withdrawn from committee or daily calendar, ordered printed and referred to
- : Not Printed
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 18, 2026): 40 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 67 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: MILITARY AFFAIRS (national guard, vets), TAXATION, PROPERTY
Common questions
- What is HB285?
- HB285 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): DISABLED VETERAN PROPERTY TAX CHANGES.
- What does HB285 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to taxation; amending the disabled veteran property tax exemption; clarifying occupancy requirements; clarifying exemption determinations for properties with multiple ownership interests; providing protest procedures and procedures to claim the exemption; declaring an emergency.
- What is the status of HB285?
- Signed into law as of February 25, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 9 - Feb. 25 (February 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB285?
- Art De La Cruz (D, HD-012), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB285?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=285&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.