New Mexico Rural Water Association


Legislation & Grassroots Action


NMRWA tracks water bills throughout the legislative session. Select bills that affect our membership and shape public policy are listed below. Please contact the office for more information.

House Bills & Memorials

Short Title Bill Number Sponsor Companion Recommendation Comments
Status of Water Rights Under Lease HB 19 Roberto J. Gonzales SB 188 Watch Leased water rights constitute beneficial use
Public Meeting Agendas 72 Hours in Advance HB 21 James E. Smith Amend Requires agendas to posted / available 72 hours prior to meetings; emergency meetings must be reported to Attorney General
Transfer Corporations from PRC to SOS HB 46 Thomas C. Taylor Watch Transfers existing oversight of associations, cooperatives and MDWCAs from the Public Regulatory Commission to the Secretary of State
Replacement Water Well Procedures HB 82 Larry A. Larranaga Amend Modifies procedures for replacement wells; requires plugging of old well
Water Use Planning Period HB 94 Nathan Cote Watch Authorize all public utilities to utilize the forty-year water use planning period (including private utilities)
Audit Act Changes for Political Subdivisions HB 140 Dennis J. Roch Watch Changes the annual revenue amount for financial reporting under the Audit Act to a 3-year moving average for MDWCAs
No False Statements to Environment Dept. HB 189 Brian F. Egolf, Jr. Amend Makes it a felony to knowingly make false statements to NMED
Water Project Financing Approval HB 364 Larry A. Larranaga Watch Removes requirement for legislative approval of Water Trust Board project funding
Public Water Supply Contaminant Testing HB 415 George Dodge, Jr. Support Requires NMED to compile an annual list of contaminants that will be paid for under the Water Conservation Fee fund

Senate Bills & Memorials

Short Title Bill Number Sponsor Companion Recommendation Comments
Local Government Planning Fund SB 54 Sue Wilson Beffort Support Appropriates $2M for planning grants up to $50k per entity
City Water Storage Tank Contractors SB 93 Steven P. Neville Support Municipalities can enter into multi-year tank service contracts
Off-Highway Vehicle Act Exemptions SB 201 William E. Sharer Support Municipalities can allow OHV use for meter reading
NMFA Water Fund & Acequia Projects SB 228 Mary Kay Papen Support Authorizes Water Trust Board projects
Move Drinking Water Loan Fund SB 419 George K. Munoz Watch Moves the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRLF) from NMFA to NMED


Stay informed! Sign up for the NMRWA Grassroots Network email alert list.
Send an email to: Matthew Holmes, Executive Director


NM Legislative Links

  • NM State Legislature: www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/

  • Find your Legislator: www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx

  • Bill Finder: www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/BillFinder.aspx

  • NM Statutes: www.nmonesource.com/nmnxtadmin/NMPublic.aspx

  • NM Administrative Code: www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmac/

  • NM Register: www.nmcpr.state.nm.us/nmregister/