BRACKISH WATER PROJECTS FUNDING

SB 342 appropriates $50 million to New Mexico's Office of the State Engineer for brackish water projects in the lower Rio Grande, middle Rio Grande, Permian Basin, and northwest regions, funding exploration, treatment, and aquifer studies. It also allocates $16 million to New Mexico Tech and $4 million to New Mexico State University for research, technology development, and aquifer monitoring related to these projects. The bill requires the Department of Environment to create rules for brackish water use (defined as deep aquifer water with high salt content) by December 2026. All funds must be spent by fiscal year 2030, with unspent balances reverting to the state general fund. The legislation directly affects state agencies, universities, and water projects targeting brackish water resources.