STATE News:SANTA FE ― Tuesday Feb. 16, the New Mexico Legislature passed the Veterans Assistance Guarantee Act with unanimous support.
The Veterans Tuition Assistance Guarantee changes the language of the definition of “veteran” in state statute to ensure that veterans are not denied tuition assistance in New Mexico. House Bill 17 strikes “New Mexico resident” and “citizen” from the definition of “veteran” and inserts “person” in NMSA 1978 9-22-3.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to ensure that we keep our promise to our Veterans,” said Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard (D-Los Alamos). “Now, our statutes will no longer exclude veterans from receiving the tuition assistance benefit they have earned simply because they may not be a New Mexico resident or a citizen. Not one man or woman who has proudly raised their right hand and sworn to defend our country from all enemies – foreign or domestic – should ever be denied the benefits they have earned. This sends a loud message to all veterans that New Mexico will always honor their service.”
The Veterans Tuition Assistance Guarantee Act passed both chambers with unanimous bipartisan support. House Bill 17 passed the House of Representatives with a 58-0 vote on Feb. 5. Monday Feb. 15, The Veterans Tuition Assistance Guarantee Act passed the Senate with a 39-0 vote, and Tuesday the House voted unanimously to concur with the Senate change that removed “citizen” from the definition of “veteran”. The Veterans Assistance Guarantee Act now heads to the Governor’s desk.
