NM HB285

Amends Section 7-37-5.1 NMSA 1978 to clarify that disabled veterans must occupy the property continuously as their principal place of residence to qualify for the property tax exemption, with exemption amount equal to the veteran's disability percentage multiplied by taxable value

When multiple disabled veterans qualify for the exemption on the same property, the exemption is determined using the highest disability percentage among eligible owners

Allows property owners with pending exemption claims to file a protest if the claim is still pending 30 days after mailing of the county assessor's notice of valuation, with the county assessor required to make a determination within the protest period

Veterans who have submitted disability claims to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but have not received their certificate of eligibility may file a protest and attach their notice of receipt of the disability claim as documentation

Declares an emergency requiring the act to take effect immediately for public peace, health, and safety