SENATE BILL 346

44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

INTRODUCED BY

William H. Payne

FOR THE WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO WATER; PROVIDING FOR ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN ADJUDICATION OF WATER RIGHTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 72, Article 4 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"[NEW MATERIAL] WATER RIGHTS ADJUDICATION--USE OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR SETTLEMENT.--The state engineer shall adopt procedures providing the opportunity for alternative dispute resolution of disputes involving the state engineer to all persons claiming to own water rights or parties in a water rights adjudication. Alternative dispute resolution may include negotiation conferences, mediation and arbitration. A settlement negotiated through alternative dispute resolution and filed with the state engineer shall be binding on the settling parties upon approval by the district court."

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