Constitutional Amendments

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 1

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 5 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PHASE IN AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION FROM PROPERTY TAXATION OF TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,000) OF PROPERTY OF HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES DURING AN ARMED CONFLICT.

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). 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) in tax years prior to 2003; two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in 2003; three thousand dollars ($3,000) in 2004; three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) in 2005; and four thousand dollars ($4,000) in 2006 and each subsequent year. 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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 7, SECTION 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST CERTAIN PERSONS EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 7, Section 1 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"Every citizen of the United States, who is over the age of eighteen years, and has resided in New Mexico twelve months, in the county ninety days, and in the precinct in which he offers to vote thirty days, next preceding the election, except persons convicted of a felonious or infamous crime unless restored to political rights, shall be qualified to vote at all elections for public officers. The legislature may enact laws providing for absentee voting by qualified electors. All school elections shall be held at different times from other elections. The legislature shall have the power to require the registration of the qualified electors as a requisite for voting, and shall regulate the manner, time and places of voting. The legislature shall enact such laws as will secure the secrecy of the ballot, the purity of elections and guard against the abuse of elective franchise. Not more than two members of the board of registration, and not more than two judges of election shall belong to the same political party at the time of their appointment."

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 3

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 6 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO ELIMINATE AN OUTDATED SECTION REGARDING DESIGNATION OF JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 6 of the constitution of New Mexico by repealing Section 25.

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 4

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO REPEAL ARTICLE 2, SECTION 22 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO, WHICH STATES THAT ALIENS CANNOT OWN LAND OR ANY INTEREST IN LAND IN THE STATE UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 2 of the constitution of New Mexico by repealing Section 22.

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 5

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8, SECTION 15 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO EXEMPT FROM PROPERTY TAXATION THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF RESIDENCE OCCUPIED BY A VETERAN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHO HAS A ONE HUNDRED PERCENT PERMANENT AND TOTAL SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 8, Section 15 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"The legislature shall exempt from taxation the property, including the community or joint property of husband and wife, of every veteran of the armed forces of the United States who has been determined pursuant to federal law to have a one hundred percent permanent and total service-connected disability, if the veteran occupies the property as his principal place of residence. The legislature shall also provide this exemption from taxation for property owned by the widow or widower of a veteran who was eligible for the exemption provided in this section, if the widow or widower continues to occupy the property as his principal place of residence. The burden of proving eligibility for the exemption in this section is on the person claiming the exemption."

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 6

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 9, SECTION 14 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO PERMIT THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE LAND, BUILDINGS OR INFRASTRUCTURE TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 9, Section 14 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"Neither the state nor any county, school district or municipality, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, shall directly or indirectly lend or pledge its credit or make any donation to or in aid of any person, association or public or private corporation or in aid of any private enterprise for the construction of any railroad except as provided in Subsections A through F of this section.

A. Nothing in this section prohibits the state or any county or municipality from making provision for the care and maintenance of sick and indigent persons.

B. Nothing in this section prohibits the state from establishing a veterans' scholarship program for Vietnam conflict veterans who are post-secondary students at educational institutions under the exclusive control of the state by exempting such veterans from the payment of tuition. For the purposes of this subsection, a "Vietnam conflict veteran" is any person who has been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, who was a resident of New Mexico at the original time of entry into the armed forces from New Mexico and who has been awarded a Vietnam campaign medal for service in the armed forces of this country in Vietnam during the period from August 5, 1964 to the official termination date of the Vietnam conflict as designated by executive order of the president of the United States.

C. The state may establish by law a program of loans to students of the healing arts, as defined by law, for residents of the state who, in return for the payment of educational expenses, contract with the state to practice their profession for a period of years after graduation within areas of the state designated by law.

D. Nothing in this section prohibits the state or a county or municipality from creating new job opportunities by providing land, buildings or infrastructure for facilities to support new or expanding businesses if this assistance is granted pursuant to general implementing legislation that is approved by a majority vote of those elected to each house of the legislature. The implementing legislation shall include adequate safeguards to protect public money or other resources used for the purposes authorized in this subsection. The implementing legislation shall further provide that:

(1) each specific county or municipal project providing assistance pursuant to this subsection need not be approved by the legislature but shall be approved by the county or municipality pursuant to procedures provided in the implementing legislation; and

(2) each specific state project providing assistance pursuant to this subsection shall be approved by law.

E. Nothing in this section prohibits the state, a county or a municipality from:

(1) donating land owned by the state, county or municipality for the construction on it of affordable housing;

(2) donating an existing building owned by the state, county or municipality for conversion or renovation into affordable housing; or

(3) providing or paying the costs of infrastructure necessary to support affordable housing projects.

F. The provisions of Subsection E of this section are not selfexecuting.

Before the described assistance may be provided, enabling legislation shall be enacted by a majority vote of the members elected to each house of the legislature. This enabling legislation shall:

(1) define "affordable housing";

(2) establish eligibility criteria for the recipients of land, buildings and infrastructure;

(3) contain provisions to ensure the successful completion of affordable housing projects supported by assistance authorized pursuant to

Subsection E of this section;

(4) require a county or municipality providing assistance pursuant to Subsection E of this section to give prior formal approval by ordinance for a specific affordable housing assistance grant and include in the ordinance the conditions of the grant; and

(5) require prior approval by law of a specific affordable housing assistance grant by the state."

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 7

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 20 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO DESIGNATE THE LAST FRIDAY IN MARCH AS A LEGAL HOLIDAY IN HONOR OF CESAR CHAVEZ.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 20 of the constitution of New Mexico by adding a new Section 23 to read:

"The last Friday in March shall be designated a legal holiday in honor of Cesar Chavez."

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 8

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 9, SECTION 14 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO BROADEN ELIGIBILITY FOR VIETNAM VETERANS' SCHOLARSHIPS.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 9, Section 14 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"Neither the state nor any county, school district or municipality, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, shall directly or indirectly lend or pledge its credit or make any donation to or in aid of any person, association or public or private corporation or in aid of any private enterprise for the construction of any railroad; provided:

A. nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the state or any county or municipality from making provision for the care and maintenance of sick and indigent persons;

B. nothing in this section shall prohibit the state from establishing a veterans' scholarship program for Vietnam conflict veterans who are post-secondary students at educational institutions under the exclusive control of the state by exempting such veterans from the payment of tuition. For the purposes of this subsection, a "Vietnam conflict veteran" is any person who has been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States, who was a resident of New Mexico at the original time of entry into the armed forces from New Mexico or who has lived in New Mexico for ten years or more and who has been awarded a Vietnam campaign medal for service in the armed forces of this country in Vietnam during the period from August 5, 1964 to the official termination date of the Vietnam conflict as designated by executive order of the president of the United States;

C. the state may also establish by law a program of loans to students of the healing arts, as defined by law, for residents of the state who, in return for the payment of educational expenses, contract with the state to practice their profession for a period of years after graduation within areas of the state designated by law; and

D. nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the state or a county or municipality from creating new job opportunities by providing land, buildings or infrastructure for facilities to support new or expanding businesses if this assistance is granted pursuant to general implementing legislation that is approved by a majority vote of those elected to each house of the legislature. The implementing legislation shall include adequate safeguards to protect public money or other resources used for the purposes authorized in this subsection. The implementing legislation shall further provide that:

(1) each specific county or municipal project providing assistance pursuant to this subsection need not be approved by the legislature but shall be approved by the county or municipality pursuant to procedures provided in the implementing legislation; and

(2) each specific state project providing assistance pursuant to this subsection shall be approved by law."

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.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 9

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING TO AMEND ARTICLE 5, SECTION 14 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF NEW MEXICO TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION TO THE STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.

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

Section 1. It is proposed to amend Article 5, Section 14 of the constitution of New Mexico to read:

"There is created a "state transportation commission". The members of the state transportation commission shall be appointed, shall have such power and shall perform such duties as may be provided by law. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 5, Section 5 of the constitution of New Mexico, state transportation commissioners shall only be removed as provided by law."

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.