Contact: Isaac Padilla
505/986.4819
Isaac.Padilla@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2015
New Mexico State Legislature Receives a National Award for Improvements Made to Tax Policy
Santa Fe, NM -New Mexico State Legislature was awarded the Property Tax Achievement Award by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) for an outstanding contribution to the improvement of property tax administration and tax policy during the 2015 Legislative Session. IAAO is a nonprofit, educational, and research association founded in 1934 that is comprised of government assessment officials and others interested in the administration of property tax policy.
Define Agricultural Use for Property Tax (SB 112) and Disabled Veteran Benefit Assessment (SB 248), were two of the bills highlighted by IAAO. Define Agricultural Use for Property Tax (SB 112), sponsored by Senator Carlos Cisneros, expanded the definition of “agricultural use” for tax assessment purposes to include land that is resting due to moderate or severe drought conditions. After hearing from numerous constituents about the reclassification of hundreds of agricultural properties that were removed from production due to a prolonged drought, Senator Cisneros worked with Representative Gonzalez to move legislation through the House and Senate.
“I would like to thank the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) for recognizing the hard work our State Legislature does on behalf of the citizens of New Mexico. I would also like to thank the constituents of Taos County who, in 2014, came to me with a very concerning tax assessment problem and worked with me to quickly find a solution,” said Senator Cisneros (D-6-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos)
Disabled Veteran Benefit Assessment (SB 248), sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Sanchez, reversed a court decision that suspended property tax exemptions on conservancy district, solid waste districts and voter-approved special assessments attached to property owned and occupied by a disabled veteran.
“It is an honor to receive an award for the work we do to improve the lives of New Mexicans. I introduced the Disabled Benefit Assessment to recognize the personal sacrifices our disabled veterans made while bravely serving our country,” said Senator Majority Leader (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia)
Revising tax policy is essential to grow our economy and improve the fairness of tax policy implementation. Our dedicated Senators are working hard on behalf of the citizens of New Mexico by passing smart legislation that advances the fairness of our tax code.
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