SB 47 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

SANTA CRUZ DE LA CANADA LAND GRANT

SB 47 adds the Santa Cruz de la Canada Land Grant-Merced to the list of land grants governed under New Mexico's Chapter 49, Article 1 statutes. This procedural bill formally includes the Santa Cruz de la Canada community (located in Santa Fe County) under the existing legal framework that applies to other historic land grants. It does not change governance mechanisms but ensures this specific grant is explicitly covered by current state land grant laws. The bill was signed into law after passing both legislative chambers.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Signed Apr 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the application of New Mexico's land grant laws to include several specific historic land grants that were previously excluded or governed by different rules. It adds detailed provisions for 15 specific land grants, including the Santa Cruz de la Canada, Tome, Atrisco, Tecolote, and others, ensuring they are governed by Chapter 49, Article 1 of the state statutes. The bill also clarifies that these grants remain subject to the law even if they are managed by other entities, with limited exceptions for lands held by third parties.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of land grant legislation by explicitly including previously excluded or ambiguously governed land grants under the standard Chapter 49, Article 1 framework.

SCOPE

Added the Santa Cruz de la Canada land grant to the list of grants governed by Chapter 49, Article 1 NMSA 1978.

Added 14 additional specific land grants (Tome, Atrisco, Tecolote, San Antonio del Rio Colorado, Manzano, Arroyo Hondo Arriba, Anton Chico, Abiquiu, Canon de Carnue, Cebolleta, Cristobal de la Serna, Cubero, Don Fernando de Taos, Santo Tomas Apostol del Rio de Las Trampas, and Santa Barbara) to the statutory coverage.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that the law applies to land grants confirmed by Congress, the court of private land claims, or designated in surveyor general reports related to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Added exception stating that Chapter 49, Article 1 does not apply to lands or interests held by other persons, including public or private corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies.

REQUIREMENT

Added provision allowing land grant boards to petition the legislature to repeal specific legislation if it is no longer beneficial to the grant.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2025 · House Mar 17, 2025

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 40

Feb 13, 2025

D Democratic24

20 Yea 4

83% Yea

R Republican16

14 Yea 2

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 11, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee & House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Conservation Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors