Summary:

 Senate Bill 114 (SB 114) alters land acquisition procedures by requiring the approval of acequia associations, land grants, boards of county commissioners and the legislature prior to acquiring land or water rights. It institutes reporting requirements. 

 

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill 114 (SB 114) amends the power of the State Game Commission in Section 17-1-14 NMSA 1978 by altering land and water rights acquisition procedures.  SB 114 requires the SGC to obtain written approval of an acequia association, a land grant, and the board of county commissioners in which the property or water rights are located prior to the acquisition. SB 114 requires the SGC to examine and compile a report on the social, cultural and economic impacts (impact survey) to the acequia association, land grant or county in which the acquisition is located; and obtain legislative approval prior to acquiring land or water rights. 
SB 114 requires the SGC to report to the legislature no later than 1 October of each year on all expenditures from the Game Protection Fund including the results of the impact surveys and recommendations for legislative approval for further expenditures from the fund for
the acquisition of land or water rights. 
It conforms Sections Section 17-1-14 NMSA 1978 (powers and authority of the SGC) and Section 17-2-44 NMSA 1978 (powers and duties of the director of the Department of Game and Fish) to conform to these new procedural requirements.
 

Current Law:

 The SGC has the authority to acquire property or water rights without the prior approval of any of these governmental entities.