Summary:

 Senate Bill 342 (SB 342) requires the Department of Environment to promulgate rules for the use of brackish water and appropriates a total of seventy million ($70,000,000) to the Office of the State Engineer for brackish water use exploration, treatment and aquifer characterization for water projects; to the board of regents of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University for the development of technology for projects related to brackish water use. 


 

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Bill 342 (SB 342) requires the Department of Environment (NMED) to promulgate rules for the use of brackish water which it defines including that it is not produced water. 
SB 342 appropriates 
•	Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) from the General Fund (GF) to Office of the State Engineer for expenditure in Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 through 2030 for brackish water use exploration, treatment and aquifer characterization water projects to benefit the lower Rio Grande, middle Rio Grande, Permian Basin and northwest quadrant of the state.
•	Sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) from the General Fund (GF) to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMIMT) for expenditure in Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 through 2030 for innovation, research, monitoring, support and development of technology associated with brackish water projects and for aquifer monitoring and improved ground water characterization.
•	Four million dollars ($4,000,000) from the General Fund (GF) to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for expenditure in Fiscal Years (FY) 2026 through 2030 for the innovation, research, monitoring, support and development of technology associated with brackish water projects

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2030 for any of these appropriations reverts to the GF.