44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 1999

REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CREATE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY LAND GRANTS IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, New Mexico has a unique history in the acquisition of land due to the substantial number of Spanish and Mexican land grants that were an integral part of the colonization and growth of this area of the country; and

WHEREAS, various provisions of the treaties signed under prior sovereigns have not yet been fully implemented in the spirit of Article 6 of the constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS, serious questions still exist about prior ownership, particularly about certain public lands; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous land grants throughout the state with different concerns and issues that need to heard; and

WHEREAS, the legislature could take action to assist land grant heirs to balance the demands of the traditional ways of life with the changes introduced by a growing population and advanced technology;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the attorney general be requested to create an advisory committee to:

A. conduct statewide hearings;

B. study existing law regarding land grants and develop legislation to improve existing law for the purpose of supporting and promoting the interest of the community land grants;

C. gather testimony from land grant heirs from across New Mexico to acquire an understanding of the issues and concerns facing them;

D. gather testimony from other community groups and governmental entities to understand the relationship between land grants heirs and other property owners in New Mexico; and

E. report to the appropriate legislative interim committee and to the governor recommended changes to existing law, including ownership, water rights, natural resources, sovereignty, land use, industry, eminent domain, planning and zoning, prior to the second session of the forty-fourth legislature and the first session of the forty-fifth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the attorney general.