Section 20-4-7.2 - Legislative findings and purpose.
20-4-7.2. Legislative findings and purpose.
A. The legislature finds that:
(1) the New Mexico national guard has a proud tradition of military service with thousands of New Mexicans having answered the call of the nation and served in the national guard;
(2) there have been instances in which the dependents of members of the New Mexico national guard have been left without adequate financial resources when a national guard member has been killed while on active duty;
(3) members of the New Mexico national guard are now being asked to serve extended periods of active duty in combat areas;
(4) members of the New Mexico national guard are eligible for life insurance policies that are currently limited to two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) through the federal service members' group life insurance program; and
(5) members of the New Mexico national guard provide New Mexico and its citizens valuable benefits through their service inside this state and through their recently extended periods of active duty in combat areas outside of New Mexico, and in exchange for these extended periods of active duty they should receive assistance with their premiums for the federal service members' group life insurance program.
B. The purpose of creating and funding the service members' life insurance reimbursement fund is to provide a benefit to members of the New Mexico national guard in exchange for and in recognition of their assumption of extended periods of active duty in combat areas, in addition to their increased contributions to the safety and welfare of the citizens of the state of New Mexico.