New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 1363Water storageLicensing and registrations

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

INTRO APR 9· LAST ACTION DEC 17

READING

11MIN

COSPONSORS

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses long-standing issues of access and traditional use rights for historic land grant communities in New Mexico on lands that are now federally owned. For many generations, these communities have relied on these lands for cultural practices, subsistence, and maintaining their way of life. Currently, these activities often require permits and fees, which can be burdensome or restrict access.

If this bill becomes law, it would establish a structured process for federal agencies to acknowledge and facilitate these traditional uses, potentially reducing financial barriers and administrative hurdles. This could help preserve cultural heritage and support the economic and social well-being of these communities. If it doesn't pass, these communities would likely continue to navigate existing, potentially more restrictive, federal land management policies, which may not adequately account for their unique historical relationship with these lands.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council.

This provision creates a formal, structured mechanism for federal agencies and land grant communities to cooperate and coordinate on land use issues.

PROVISION 02

Defines "historical or traditional use" to include activities like gathering herbs, wood, flora, grazing, subsistence hunting/fishing, and maintaining shrines, specifically for noncommercial benefit.

This clarifies the types of activities the bill aims to protect and facilitate, ensuring cultural and subsistence practices are recognized.

PROVISION 03

Mandates that the MOU describe permit requirements and administrative procedures for these historical uses on federal land.

This aims to streamline and clarify the process for land grant community members to obtain necessary approvals for traditional activities.

PROVISION 04

Allows for the reduction or waiver of certain fees (including cost recovery and land use fees) associated with permits for historical or traditional uses.

This provision could significantly reduce financial burdens on land grant communities and heirs, making traditional uses more accessible.

PROVISION 05

Excludes land within Indian reservations, trust lands for Indian Tribes, or fee lands of Indians/Tribes with alienation restrictions from the definition of "Federal land" covered by the Act.

This ensures the bill does not interfere with existing tribal sovereignty and land management on Native American lands.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 0

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

DEC 17

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

DEC 2

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

APR 9

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

APR 9

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 1363

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedApr 9, 2025

Last actionDec 17, 2025

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 9, 2025

Senate BillS 1363Water storageLicensing and registrations

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

INTRODUCED APR 9, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 17, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

11 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council.

This provision creates a formal, structured mechanism for federal agencies and land grant communities to cooperate and coordinate on land use issues.

high

Defines "historical or traditional use" to include activities like gathering herbs, wood, flora, grazing, subsistence hunting/fishing, and maintaining shrines, specifically for noncommercial benefit.

This clarifies the types of activities the bill aims to protect and facilitate, ensuring cultural and subsistence practices are recognized.

med

Mandates that the MOU describe permit requirements and administrative procedures for these historical uses on federal land.

This aims to streamline and clarify the process for land grant community members to obtain necessary approvals for traditional activities.

high

Allows for the reduction or waiver of certain fees (including cost recovery and land use fees) associated with permits for historical or traditional uses.

This provision could significantly reduce financial burdens on land grant communities and heirs, making traditional uses more accessible.

med

Excludes land within Indian reservations, trust lands for Indian Tribes, or fee lands of Indians/Tribes with alienation restrictions from the definition of "Federal land" covered by the Act.

This ensures the bill does not interfere with existing tribal sovereignty and land management on Native American lands.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act

Initial memorandum of understanding must be entered into with the New Mexico Land Grant Council.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Land Grant-Merced: A community land grant originally issued under Spanish or Mexican law that is recognized by New Mexico state law, and has a history of use on or adjacent to federal land.
Community user: An heir of a qualified land grant-merced, as defined by New Mexico state law.
Governing body: The board of trustees or similar authority legally responsible for managing a qualified land grant-merced under New Mexico state law.
Historical or traditional use: Long-standing, customary activities conducted by a land grant community on federal land for noncommercial benefit, such as gathering plants or wood, grazing, or subsistence hunting.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A formal agreement between federal agencies (like Agriculture or Interior) and the New Mexico Land Grant Council, outlining how they will cooperate on land use.
Noncommercial benefit: A gain or advantage from a land use where the main purpose is not to sell a product or service.
Secretary concerned: Refers to either the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, depending on which department has authority over the specific federal land.

ACTION TIMELINE

4 EVENTS

DEC 17, 25

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

COMMITTEE

DEC 2, 25

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

APR 9, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

APR 9, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

INTROREFERRAL

READER REACTIONS

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Committee Referrals

Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

Dec 17, 2025

senate

Related Hearings

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Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee (senate)Dec 2, 2025

Transcript

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New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

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