New Mexico Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal (Driver's License): New Mexico Policy Implemented

Demographic Data

State residents include:

14,301 active-duty service members
4,707 active-duty spouses
8,017 active-duty children
7,551 National Guard and reserve members
2,945 National Guard and reserve spouses
4,761 National Guard and reserve children

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2023.

Kelli May Douglas

Pacific Southwest Regional Liaison

Pacific Southwest Region

AZ, CA, HI, NM, NV, UT

EMAIL

Ms. Douglas became Southwest region liaison in 2018. Prior to joining the DSLO, she served as regional school liaison for Marine Corps Installations West. Ms. Douglas also served as an elementary school teacher in several states and in Department of Defense Education Activity schools, advocating for special needs education.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Medicaid Waivers

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

11/09/2018

Allow Service Members to Retain Their Earned Priority for Receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Final Legislation

NM DoH Developmental Disability Support Division. Intake and Eligibility Bureau \"YES Match\" letter permits ALL New Mexico residents on the waiting list who retain a current address even if they leave the state and return can retain their position on the list as though they had not left the state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

01/15/2019

Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Final Legislation

NM CYFD Protective Services Division (PSD) Statewide Central Intake (SCI) hotline includes an updated template to collect information if a family is affiliated with the military and PSD requirement for the applicable county office to notify the installation Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Manager.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Military Spouse Teacher Certification3/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Expediting Applications

02/14/2020HB 30

02/03/2020HB 30

02/26/2020

Expediting Applications Final Legislation

Section 2 of NM HB 30 (2020) amends New Mexico Statute 22-10A-12.1 regarding Expedited and Temporary Licensure. It adds that the New Mexico Public Education Department will process an application \"no later than 30 days\" after receipt. Also in addition to satisfying the requirements for the renewal of the license, the applicant shall not be charged a licensing fee for the first three years a license is valid.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Temporary Licensing

02/14/2020HB 30

02/03/2020HB 30

02/26/2020

Temporary Licensing Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Improving Endorsements

03/16/2021HB 120

02/22/2021HB 120

04/06/2021

Improving Endorsements Final Legislation

NM HB 120 (2021) enhances previous legislation enacted in 2020 (NM HB 30) by improving the expedited issuance of professional and occupational licenses for military service members, their spouses and their dependent children and for veterans through processing an application within thirty days and issuing a license prima facie to a qualified applicant who holds a license that is current and in good standing from another jurisdiction.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Veteran Hiring Protection

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Purple Star Schools Program

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/08/2021SB 271

02/14/2023HM 22

02/28/2023

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Directs the New Mexico public education department to assess and report the status, oversight, implementation and effectiveness of the purple star public schools program in New Mexico public schools to the legislative education study committee by November 1, 2023.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Service Member Licensure and Credit

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

02/13/2016SB-153

02/04/2016SB-153

02/26/2016

Licensure and Academic Credit for Separating Service Members Final Legislation

Directs the New Mexico Higher Education Department to establish a consistent policy and articulation agreement regarding the evaluation and award of college credit based on military training and experience. \n

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Advance Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/15/2021SB 272

03/03/2021SB 272

04/06/2021

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

Requires public school districts and charter schools to allow military families to enroll school-age children prior to their physical presence in the state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

In-State Tuition Continuity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

10/01/2018

In-State Tuition Continuity Final Legislation

Spouse or child of active duty member assigned elsewhere immediately following New Mexico duty is an in-state resident for purposes of determining tuition/fees at all state higher learning institutions as long as the spouse or child resides continuously in New Mexico per NM SB 136 (2009).

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Virtual School Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Pro Bono Representation

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

State Response to Military Interpersonal Violence0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Recognize MPOs

Increase Peace Officer Responsibilities

Allow Virtual Appearance or Provide Victim Travel Funds

Ask the Question Campaign

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

09/30/2024

Driver's License Final Legislation

New Mexico allows all applicants to renew their driver's licenses online. The State also exempts from license renewal a person who is on active duty in the armed forces of the United States and is absent from this state. This exemption is valid through the first 30 days upon return to the State or separation from military service: https://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/nm-drivers-licenses-ids/military/.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

09/30/2024

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

New Mexico has multiple options for all applicants renewing their vehicle registration, to include online, mail, kiosk and in person. Service members located within the state of New Mexico are excluded from registration requirements for one vehicle. A service member of another state need not register with the state of New Mexico any vehicle owned by the service member and his/her spouse.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

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