SENATE BILL 185

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

James G. Townsend and Candy Spence Ezzell and Larry R. Scott and David M. Gallegos

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO CRIME; CREATING THE CRIME OF UNLAWFUL USE OF UNDERGROUND WATER; PROVIDING PENALTIES.

 

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] UNLAWFUL USE OF UNDERGROUND WATER--PENALTY.--

          A. Unlawful use of underground water consists of a person selling, trading, bartering or otherwise using or appropriating underground water requiring a permit pursuant to Chapter 72, Article 12 NMSA 1978:

                (1) for any use other than a use permitted by the state engineer; or

                (2) without a permit.

          B. Whoever commits unlawful use of underground water is guilty of a fourth degree felony, shall be assessed a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per barrel or per forty-two gallons of water that is sold, traded, bartered or otherwise used or appropriated and shall be sentenced according to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

          C. The attorney general or a district attorney may bring an action in the name of the state to enforce this section.

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