New Mexico § 20-2-3 - Governor; power to call out militia

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 20-2-3 — Governor; power to call out militia, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 20-2-3. Governor; power to call out militia

A. The governor may, in case of insurrection, invasion, riot or breach of the peace

or of imminent danger thereof or in case of other emergency, order into active service

of the state the militia or any components or parts thereof that have not been called

into federal service. As used in this section, “ emergency ” includes any man-made or natural disaster causing or threatening widespread physical

or economic harm that is beyond local control and requiring the resources of the state. B. The governor may also order any member of the national guard to active state service

for a period not to exceed a cumulative total of four months within a calendar year

for any individual member for the following reasons: (1) to protect critical infrastructure in the state from a cybersecurity threat or

security vulnerability; (2) to protect an information system owned or operated by the state from a cybersecurity

threat or security vulnerability; (3) to protect information that is stored on, processed by or transiting on an information

system owned or operated by the state from a cybersecurity threat or security vulnerability;

or (4) to identify the source of a cybersecurity threat. C. A member of the national guard called to active service pursuant to the provisions

of Subsection B of this section shall not have any police powers or arrest authority. “ Subsection B of Section 20-2-3 NMSA 1978” shall be cited on all orders, vouchers and payroll documents submitted for

reimbursement pursuant to Section 20-1-6 NMSA 1978 in support of all actions authorized by Subsection B of this section. In no case shall an activation ordered pursuant to Subsection B of this section

be used to incur a debt under Article 9, Section 7 of the constitution of New Mexico . D. In case of any breach of the peace, tumult, riot or resistance to process of this

state or imminent danger thereof, the sheriff of a county may call for aid from the

governor as commander-in-chief of the national guard. If it appears to the governor that the power of the county is insufficient to enable

the sheriff to preserve the peace and protect the lives and property of the peaceful

residents of the county or to overcome the resistance to process of this state, the

governor shall, on application of the sheriff, order out such military force as is

necessary. E. When any portion of the militia is called out for the purpose of suppressing an

unlawful or riotous assembly, the commander of the troops shall cooperate with the

civil officers to the fullest extent consistent with the accomplishment of the object

for which the troops were called. The civil officials may express to the commander of the troops the general or specific

objective that the civil officials desire to accomplish, but the tactical direction

of the troops, the kind and extent of force to be used and the particular means to

be employed to accomplish the object specified by the civil officers shall be left

solely to the commander of the troops present on duty. F. When any portion of the militia is ordered into active service pursuant to this

section in case of an emergency, the militia may provide those resources and services

necessary to avoid or minimize economic or physical harm until a situation becomes

stabilized and again under local self-support and control, including the provision,

on a temporary, emergency basis, for lodging, sheltering, health care, food and any

transportation or shipping necessary to protect lives or public property; or for

any other action necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. G. In the event of the exercise by the governor of the powers under this section,

the governor shall first utilize the personnel and assets of the national guard and

only in their absence or insufficiency utilize the personnel and assets of the state

defense force.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 20-2-3

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 20-2-3 cover?

Section 20-2-3 ("Governor; power to call out militia") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 20-2-3?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 20-2-3" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 20-2-3 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.