GRANTS, N.M. – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed two landmark pieces of legislation aimed at improving the lives of New Mexico’s veterans—both of which carry the enduring imprint of the late Representative Eliseo “Lee” Alcon.
In a press event held Thursday in Santa Fe, the governor signed House Bill 47 and House Bill 161, expanding property tax exemptions and granting veterans free access to state parks. These measures, which received overwhelming bipartisan support, were praised as a meaningful step forward in the state’s long-standing efforts to honor those who have served in the military.
“Today marks an important step forward in how we honor and support our veterans in New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Our veterans deserve meaningful support for their service and sacrifice, and I'm proud to sign legislation that provides tangible benefits to them and their families.”
Though he did not live to see the bills signed into law, Representative Eliseo Alcon (D-Milan)—a Vietnam War veteran and Bronze Star recipient— was a key figure behind both initiatives. Alcon passed away in January at age 74 following a battle with liver cancer, just two months after retiring from the New Mexico House of Representatives due to health concerns.
HB 47, which implements constitutional amendments approved by voters in the 2024 general election, another initiative introduced and fought for by Alcon, increases the standard veteran property tax exemption from $4,000 to $10,000 starting this year, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2026. The bill also eliminates the 100 percent disability threshold for a full exemption, instead offering a proportional exemption based on a veteran’s federally rated disability percentage.
HB 161 provides free, unlimited access to New Mexico’s state parks for all resident veterans, including both day-use and camping passes, effective July 1, 2025.
“These new laws represent our state's deep appreciation for the service of our veterans,” said Department of Veterans Services Secretary Jamison Herrera. “The property tax relief will provide meaningful financial support to veterans and their families, while access to our state parks offers opportunities for recreation and healing.”
When HB 47 passed the New Mexico House of Representatives in February, House District 6 was without representation— the result of a contentious and protracted political crisis sparked by Alcon’s resignation. Though both Cibola and McKinley County Commissions initially nominated former Rep. Harry Garcia to fill the vacancy, an investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice determined that Garcia did not reside in the district and was ineligible to serve. It wasn’t until February 27 that Martha Garcia, a former Cibola County Commissioner and Pine Hill resident, was sworn in as the new representative for District 6.
While she did not have the opportunity to vote on HB 47 or HB 161, her appointment restored representation to a district long championed by Alcon.
At the signing ceremony, Army Vietnam veteran Dorothy Seaton, who testified for years in support of the bills, held a memorial card of Rep. Alcon and spoke emotionally about his impact.
“I worked with Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon for seven years, testifying on this bill and showing up in committee rooms, sitting in his office, and eating from his snack basket,” Seaton said. “I'm so proud that it has finished and that I could bring him with me in spirit today.”
Now that the bills are law, state agencies are preparing for their implementation.
The Taxation and Revenue Department will begin adjusting property tax calculations later this year, and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is working to establish park access systems for veterans in time for the July 1 rollout.
For Rep. Alcon’s supporters, family, and fellow lawmakers, the signing of HB 47 and HB 161 represents more than policy. It is the final chapter of a legislative career defined by service—and a lasting tribute to a man who spent his life fighting for others.
“His legacy will live on in the lives he touched and the policies he championed,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said.