AN ACT

RELATING TO LAND GRANTS; DEFINING TERMS; REVISING GOVERNANCE, ELECTIONS AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MANAGEMENT OF LAND GRANTS-MERCEDES; AMENDING, REPEALING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.

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

Section 1. A new section of Chapter 49, Article 1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"DEFINITIONS.--As used in Chapter 49 NMSA 1978:

A. "heir" means a person who is a descendent of the original grantees and has an interest in the common land of a land grant-merced through inheritance, gift or purchase;

B. "land grant-merced" means a grant of land made by the government of Spain or by the government of Mexico to a community, town, colony or pueblo or to a person for the purpose of founding or establishing a community, town, colony or pueblo; and

C. "qualified voting member" means an heir who is registered to vote in a land grant-merced as prescribed in the land grant-merced bylaws."

Section 2. A new section of Chapter 49, Article 1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"RIGHTS OF LESSEES AND PURCHASERS.--A person who is not an heir and who has purchased or leased property within the limits of a land grant-merced shall only have a right to the lands acquired through the purchase or lease but not to any common lands within the land grant-merced."

Section 3. Section 49-1-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-1. MANAGEMENT OF SPANISH AND MEXICAN GRANTS.--All land grants-mercedes in the state or land grants-mercedes described in Section 49-1-2 NMSA 1978 shall be managed, controlled and governed by their bylaws, by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and as provided in Sections 49-1-1 through 49‑1-18 NMSA 1978 as political subdivisions of the state."

Section 4. Section 49-1-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-2. APPLICATION.--

A. Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 shall apply to all land grants-mercedes confirmed by the congress of the United States or by the court of private land claims or designated as land grants-mercedes in any report or list of land grants prepared by the surveyor general and confirmed by congress, but shall not apply to any land grant that is now managed or controlled in any manner, other than as provided in Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978, by virtue of any general or special act.

B. If a majority of the members of the board of trustees of a land grant-merced covered by specific legislation determines that the specific legislation is no longer beneficial to the land grant-merced, the board has the authority to petition the legislature to repeal the legislation and to be governed by its bylaws and as provided in Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978."

Section 5. Section 49-1-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-3. BOARD OF TRUSTEES--MANAGEMENT OF GRANT--POWERS.‑-The management and control of all land

grants-mercedes and tracts of land to which Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 are applicable is vested in a board of trustees, to be known as the "board of trustees of the land grant-merced del pueblo de _____" (designating the name of the town, colony, pueblo or community), and the board shall have the power to:

A. control, care for and manage the land

grant-merced and real estate, prescribe the terms and conditions under which the common lands may be used and enjoyed and make all necessary and proper bylaws, rules and regulations that shall be in substantial compliance with applicable statutes for the government thereof;

B. sue and be sued under the title as set forth in this section;

C. convey, lease or mortgage the common lands of the land grant-merced in accordance with the land

grant-merced bylaws;

D. determine the number of animals that may be permitted to graze upon the common lands and determine other uses of the common lands that may be authorized;

E. prescribe the price to be paid for the use of the common lands and resources of the land grant-merced and prohibit a person failing or refusing to pay that amount from using a portion of the common lands while the person continues in default in those payments; provided that the amount fixed shall be in proportion to the number and kinds of livestock pasturing upon the common lands or to other authorized use of the common lands;

F. adopt and use an official seal;

G. appoint judges and clerks of election at all elections provided for in Sections 49-1-1 through 49‑1-18 NMSA 1978, subsequent to the first, and canvass the votes cast in those elections;

H. make bylaws, rules and regulations, not in conflict with the constitution and laws of the United States or the state of New Mexico as may be necessary for the protection, improvement and management of the common lands and real estate and for the use and enjoyment of the common lands and of the common waters of the land grant-merced;

I. determine land use, local infrastructure and economic development of the common lands of the land grant‑merced; and

J. determine zoning of the common lands of the land grant-merced pursuant to a comprehensive plan approved by the local government division of the department of finance and administration that considers the health, safety and general welfare of the residents. The department of finance and administration shall act as arbitrator for zoning conflicts between land grants-mercedes and neighboring municipalities and counties."

Section 6. Section 49-1-4 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 4, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-4. BOARD OF TRUSTEES--QUALIFICATIONS.--The board of trustees shall consist of five members. In land

grants-mercedes where there is more than one precinct, no more than three members shall be residents of the same precinct. A person shall be qualified to be a member of the board if the person is a qualified voting member and is not in default of any dues, rent or other payment for the use of any of the common lands of the land grant-merced."

Section 7. Section 49-1-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-5. ELECTION OF MEMBERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES--VOTERS' QUALIFICATIONS--REGISTRATION.--

A. Elections for the board of trustees shall be held on the first Monday in April or on a day designated in the bylaws, either every two or every four years as specified in the bylaws of the land grant-merced.

B. All qualified voting members of the land grant‑merced are qualified to vote and may vote for trustees as specified in the land grant-merced bylaws.

C. The registration of qualified voting members shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in the Election Code, substituting the words "board of trustees" and "secretary" wherever the words "county commission" and "county clerk" are used in that code.

D. The registration books compiled before each election shall be used at that election. No person shall vote at the election unless duly registered in the books, and no ballot of any unregistered person shall be counted or canvassed.

E. The board of trustees of each land grant-merced shall give public notice in Spanish and English of the time of the election and fix and give notice of the polling places in each precinct by handbills posted in at least five public places in each precinct at least fifteen days prior to the election. Notice shall also be given by publication fifteen days prior to the election in a newspaper in general circulation within the land grant-merced if there is one.

F. Elections shall be conducted, as nearly as is practicable, in the same manner as provided by law for the holding of general elections in this state. The judges and clerks of elections shall be appointed and the votes canvassed by the board of trustees."

Section 8. Section 49-1-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 7, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-7. ELECTION--CANVASSING VOTES.--The election judges and board of trustees shall meet not later than seven days following the election and canvass the votes cast and issue to the five persons having a majority of votes a certificate showing they have been duly elected."

Section 9. Section 49-1-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-8. ORGANIZATION OF BOARD--BONDS--VACANCIES.--

A. All members of the newly elected board of trustees shall meet no later than seven days after the votes are canvassed and organize themselves by the election of a president, secretary and treasurer. The treasurer shall perform such duties as may be required by the board and shall furnish to the board a good and sufficient surety bond in a sum as set forth in this section, to be conditioned as are the bonds of other public officials handling public money. It is the duty of the treasurer to deposit all the money coming into his hands as treasurer in a bank organized and doing business in New Mexico.

B. In the event of the death or resignation of the treasurer, the board shall fill the vacancy by appointing one of the members of the board as treasurer, who shall, before entering into the performance of his duties as treasurer, execute and furnish to the board a good and sufficient surety bond, similar to the bond entered into by his predecessor.

C. The amount of the bond required of the treasurer and his successor shall at all times be for a sum of at least double the amount received by and deposited in the bank by the treasurer.

D. In the event the board of trustees delegates any other of its members to collect money due the land

grant-merced, that person shall be bonded in the same manner as is provided in this section for the bonding of the treasurer.

E. Those authorized to collect money shall give receipts for the money collected, which receipts shall be in the form prescribed by the board of trustees in the bylaws as an official receipt."

Section 10. Section 49-1-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 9, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-9. MEETINGS.--Regular meetings of the board of trustees shall be held no less than quarterly and in a public place as the board may determine in accordance with the bylaws. The time and place of regular meetings shall be posted in Spanish and English in a public place within the land grant-merced at least ten days prior to the meeting. Special meetings may be held at any time on call of the president, with five days' notice being given to each member."

Section 11. Section 49-1-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 10, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-10. QUORUM.--A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the land grant-merced and its inhabitants shall be bound by the acts of the board done pursuant to the provisions of Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 and the land

grant-merced bylaws."

Section 12. Section 49-1-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 11, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-11. SALE OR MORTGAGE OF COMMON LANDS--RESTRICTIONS.--

A. A conveyance of a portion or of all of the common lands of a land grant-merced shall be effective only if:

(1) the conveyance is made in accordance with the land grant-merced bylaws and this section;

(2) the conveyance is made for the benefit of the land grant-merced;

(3) the board of trustees of the land

grant-merced has approved a resolution to make the conveyance at a regular meeting held in accordance with Sections 49-1-9 and 49‑1-12 NMSA 1978;

(4) the board of trustees has petitioned for an order affirming the board's resolution from the district court of the district in which the property is located; and

(5) the district court has issued an order affirming the board of trustees' resolution pursuant to Subsection E of this section.

B. An heir may file a written protest of a conveyance with the board of trustees of the land

grant-merced and the district court within thirty days of the date that the resolution approving the conveyance is passed by the board. The board shall address and make a decision on the protest at a special meeting held in accordance with Sections 49-1-9 and 49‑1-12 NMSA 1978 within thirty days of receiving the protest.

C. An heir dissatisfied with a decision of the board of trustees may appeal to the district court of the county in which property is located in the following manner:

(1) appeals to the district court shall be taken by serving a notice of appeal upon the board within thirty days of the decision. If an appeal is not timely taken, the action of the board is conclusive;

(2) the notice of appeal may be served in the same manner as a summons in civil actions brought before the district court or by publication in a newspaper printed in the county in which the property is located, once per week for four consecutive weeks. The last publication shall be at least twenty days prior to the date the appeal may be heard. Proof of service of the notice of appeal shall be made in the same manner as in actions brought in the district court and shall be filed in the district court within thirty days after service is complete. At the time of filing the proof of service and upon payment by the appellant of the civil docket fee, the clerk of the district court shall docket the appeal;

(3) costs shall be taxed in the same manner as in cases brought in the district court and bond for costs may be required upon proper application; and

(4) the proceeding upon appeal shall be

de novo as cases originally docketed in the district court. Evidence taken in a hearing before the board may be considered as original evidence subject to legal objection, the same as if the evidence was originally offered in the district court. The court shall allow all amendments that may be necessary in furtherance of justice and may submit any question of fact to a jury or to one or more referees at its discretion.

D. If the district court finds that all requirements of this section have been satisfied and that all protests and appeals are concluded, the court shall issue its order affirming the board of trustees' resolution conveying the property.

E. After the district court issues its order, the board of trustees shall execute the necessary documents in the name and under the seal of the land grant-merced, and all heirs shall be bound by the board's conveyance."

Section 13. Section 49-1-12 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 12, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-12. MEETINGS TO BE PUBLIC--ANNUAL REPORT.--

A. All meetings of the board of trustees shall be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Executive sessions shall not be held except in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. All heirs of the land grant-merced shall have the right to be present at all times when the board is in session and to be heard on all matters in which they may be interested.

B. The board of trustees shall annually make public a report of all its transactions for that year. The report shall include agendas, minutes, actions taken and all financial transactions. The report shall be maintained in a public place and available for public review.

C. The secretary of the board shall reduce to writing, in a book kept for that purpose, minutes of the business transacted at each meeting of the board."

Section 14. Section 49-1-13 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 13, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-13. VACANCIES.--If a vacancy occurs on the board, the remaining members shall fill the vacancy by appointment made at a regular meeting. The person appointed shall hold office until the next regular election."

Section 15. Section 49-1-14 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 14, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-14. SALARIES OF TRUSTEES--RECORDS--EXPENDITURES.--

A. The board of trustees may fix in the land grant-merced bylaws and pay to its members a salary not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) to any member in one month. The salary as fixed shall be in full as compensation for the duties performed by the board or the individual members within the exterior boundaries of the land grant-merced and for attendance at regularly scheduled meetings. The secretary of the board may be allowed a salary not to exceed two hundred twenty-five dollars ($225) in one month.

B. Board members may be authorized per diem and mileage pursuant to the Per Diem and Mileage Act.

C. The board of trustees and the treasurer shall keep permanent and legible records capable of audit, and no money or funds shall be paid by the board of trustees or by any person authorized to expend money except by written check drawn upon vouchers."

Section 16. Section 49-1-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 15, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-15. REMOVAL FROM LAND GRANT-MERCED--DELINQUENCY--FORFEITURE.--

A. If a person holds in possession or claims in private ownership, within the exterior boundaries of a land grant-merced, any tract, piece or parcel of land to which, in the opinion of the board of trustees, he has no right or title, the board may institute an action of ejectment against the person. If upon the trial it appears that such possession is without right, judgment shall be rendered in favor of the board for possession of the tract, piece or parcel of land and for such damages as it may have proved for the wrongful detention.

B. Any delinquent heir shall lose all right or interest that the heir may have had in the common lands of the land grant-merced unless the heir pays in full all legal assessments or dues due by the heir."

Section 17. Section 49-1-16 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 16, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-16. TRESPASS ON COMMON LANDS OR WATERS--INJUNCTIONS.--The courts of this state shall entertain bills of complaint filed by the board of trustees of a land

grant-merced to enjoin persons from trespassing upon the common lands or using the common waters within the land grant-merced if it appears that the complainant is without a plain, speedy and adequate remedy at law or that the persons committing trespass are insolvent or unable to respond in damages."

Section 18. Section 49-1-17 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 17, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-17. PROCESS--HOW SERVED ON BOARD.--Process in all actions or suits against a board of trustees of a land

grant-merced shall be served upon the president or, in his absence, upon the secretary."

Section 19. Section 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 19, as amended) is amended to read:

"49-1-18. CONSTRUCTION.--Sections 49-1-1 through

49-1-18 NMSA 1978 shall not be construed as applying to any land grant-merced that is managed or controlled in any manner other than that provided in Section 49-1-2 NMSA 1978."

Section 20. Section 49-1-19 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1933, Chapter 164, Section 6) is amended to read:

"49-1-19. FAILURE OF TRUSTEE TO PERFORM DUTIES--PENALTY.‑-Any member of the board of trustees who fails or refuses to perform any of the duties required to be performed by the board of trustees of the land grant-merced or any member of the board pursuant to Sections 49‑1-1 through

49-1-18 NMSA 1978 or by any other law of New Mexico is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days, or both."

Section 21. REPEAL.--Section 49-1-6 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 6, as amended) is repealed.

Section 22. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2004.