UNLAWFUL USE OF UNDERGROUND WATER

SB 185 makes unauthorized use of underground water a criminal offense in New Mexico. It prohibits selling, trading, or using water requiring a state permit without authorization or for purposes not approved by the state engineer. Violators face a fourth-degree felony charge, a $1,000 fine per 42-gallon barrel, and potential sentencing under existing law. The state attorney general or district attorneys can enforce this law to address illegal groundwater extraction. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses using underground water without proper permits or for disallowed purposes.