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New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

USA119th CongressHR-2785| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act" seeks to enhance collaboration between Federal agencies and New Mexico's qualified land grant-mercedes concerning their historical or traditional uses of Federal public land. This legislation defines "historical or traditional use" to include noncommercial activities such as water use, gathering herbs, wood, or flora, grazing, subsistence hunting or fishing, and maintaining existing monuments or cemeteries. A central provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture or Interior to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council within two years. These MOUs will outline permit requirements, administrative procedures, and potential fee reductions or waivers for land grant-merced community users. They will also address the permissible use of vehicles, equipment, and nonnative materials for these traditional activities. Furthermore, the MOUs must cover authorization for routine maintenance and minor improvements of infrastructure related to historical uses, and may describe processes for major improvements. The bill also mandates that Federal land use plans consider and evaluate the impact of other uses on these historical or traditional practices. Importantly, the Act clarifies that it does not modify existing Indian treaty rights, state authority over water or game, or create new implicit or explicit rights to Federal land use.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8262
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1363
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8262
    New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1363
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • S 119-1363: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

USA119th CongressHR-2785| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2025
The "New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act" seeks to enhance collaboration between Federal agencies and New Mexico's qualified land grant-mercedes concerning their historical or traditional uses of Federal public land. This legislation defines "historical or traditional use" to include noncommercial activities such as water use, gathering herbs, wood, or flora, grazing, subsistence hunting or fishing, and maintaining existing monuments or cemeteries. A central provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture or Interior to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council within two years. These MOUs will outline permit requirements, administrative procedures, and potential fee reductions or waivers for land grant-merced community users. They will also address the permissible use of vehicles, equipment, and nonnative materials for these traditional activities. Furthermore, the MOUs must cover authorization for routine maintenance and minor improvements of infrastructure related to historical uses, and may describe processes for major improvements. The bill also mandates that Federal land use plans consider and evaluate the impact of other uses on these historical or traditional practices. Importantly, the Act clarifies that it does not modify existing Indian treaty rights, state authority over water or game, or create new implicit or explicit rights to Federal land use.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-8262
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-1363
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-8262
    New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act


  • April 9, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-1363
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez

Democratic Representative

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Melanie A. Stansbury (Democratic)

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • S 119-1363: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted