The New Mexico State Legislature’s 53rd session will commence on Tuesday, January 17 and in the interim the state’s Indian Affairs Committee has endorsed measures that will benefit Native veterans, Native prisoners and the Mescalero Apache Tribe respectively ahead of session.

The Indian Affairs Committee is one of the state’s Interim committee, a designation given to those that do preparatory work between formal sessions. Being endorsed by the committee means the measure has been given consideration by legislators.

The Native American Veterans’ Income Tax Settlement Fund amendment was introduced by Republican Senator John Pinto who introduced the original legislation. In 2008, legislation was passed that fixed a tax problem that had been ongoing for more than 20 years. State income tax had been erroneously deducted from the pay of active duty Native American military personnel who lived on tribal lands. A Settlement Fund of $1 million was created in 2009 to return the money to the veterans, or their heirs.

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