Bill > HJM1

This Joint Memorial urges New Mexico's representatives in the U.S. Congress to prioritize the effects of drought when shaping federal agricultural policy, particularly concerning the "farm bill," which is the legislation that establishes nationwide programs for farming, food, nutrition, and rural communities. The memorial highlights that New Mexico's agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the state's economy, generating nearly $3.5 billion annually and supporting over 23,000 jobs. It emphasizes that the state has endured twenty years of drought, with dry conditions expected to persist, severely impacting water availability for domestic, irrigation, and industrial uses, as well as for farming and ranching operations that rely on consistent water for crops and livestock. The memorial also points out that reduced snowpack and precipitation have diminished river flow and water supply, and that aquifer depletion is affecting ranching practices, underscoring the urgent need for federal policy to address these drought-related challenges.