House Bill 34 (HB 34) requires the Oil Conservation Commission and the Oil Conservation Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to protect public health and the environment. 
 

 House Bill 34 (HB 34) amends Section 70-2-11 NMSA 1978 to mandate the Oil Conservation Commission and the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) to protect public health and the environment when implementing the Oil and Gas Act (Section 70-1-1 et seq NMSA 1978).                 .


 

 The OCD and the Commission have the duty to prevent waste and protect correlative rights. 

 2/3/25
The House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee introduced a committee substitute for HB 34 (HAAWC CS/HB34) that clarified that the duties and protections emanate from the Oil and Gas Act. It directs the OCD to implement the Act in a manner that protects public health and the environment.