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Bill > HB229


NM HB229

NM HB229
Land Grant Natural Resource Protection


summary

Introduced
02/02/2021
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/20/2021

Introduced Session

2021 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT RELATING TO LAND GRANTS-MERCEDES; AMENDING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 49, ARTICLE 1 NMSA 1978; DEFINING TERMS; PROVIDING AND CLARIFYING POWERS OF BOARDS OF TRUSTEES REGARDING LAND GRANT-MERCED PROPERTY AND THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES; PROVIDING FOR CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PENALTIES; UPDATING PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 49, ARTICLE 4 NMSA 1978 SO THAT THE DEFINITIONS, POWERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGARDING PROPERTY AND THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND PROVISIONS FOR CIVIL AND CRIMINAL ACTIONS AND PENALTIES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THE SAME DEFINITIONS, POWERS AND PROVISIONS FOR LAND GRANTS-MERCEDES GOVERNED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 1 NMSA 1978.

AI Summary

This bill aims to strengthen the powers and protections of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico. Key provisions include: - Defining key terms like "common lands," "common waters," and "heir" to clarify who has rights and access to land grant-merced resources. - Expanding the powers of land grant-merced boards of trustees, including the ability to sue to protect common lands and waters, determine zoning and land use, acquire property, and issue citations and prosecute violations of bylaws. - Authorizing land grant-merced boards or employees to issue criminal citations and prosecute misdemeanors for the illegal removal of natural resources from common lands and waters, with fines and potential jail time as penalties. - Allowing land grant-merced boards to file civil suits seeking penalties for illegal resource removal and to recover legal fees. - Exempting the Chilili land grant-merced from adverse possession claims not vested prior to June 2007. - Updating provisions for the Chilili land grant-merced to align with the expanded powers and protections provided for other land grant-mercedes.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

House Local Government, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee (13:00 2/13/2021 Room zoom) (on 02/13/2021)

bill text


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