Bills · HR 2785
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2785Water storageLicensing and registrations
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
INTRO APR 9· LAST ACTION MAY 21
READING
11MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a long-standing issue for many New Mexico communities with Spanish and Mexican land grant heritage. These communities often rely on traditional access to nearby lands for cultural practices and subsistence, but these lands are now managed by the federal government, leading to challenges with permits and fees.
If this bill becomes law, it could significantly ease the burden on these communities by formalizing their access rights for traditional, non-commercial uses, potentially making permits easier to obtain and less costly. This would help preserve cultural traditions and support the well-being of these historic communities. Without this bill, land grant communities would continue to face existing bureaucratic hurdles and costs, potentially making it harder to maintain their traditional practices on federal lands.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council within two years of the bill's enactment.
This creates a formal framework for consistent and improved cooperation between federal agencies and land grant communities on land use issues.
PROVISION 02
Defines "historical or traditional use" to include activities like gathering herbs, wood, or soil in small quantities, specific types of grazing, and subsistence hunting or fishing for noncommercial benefit.
This provision clearly outlines the specific activities that the bill aims to protect and facilitate, reducing ambiguity for both federal managers and land grant users.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that the MOU describe how permits for historical or traditional uses will be issued and establish processes for reducing or waiving associated fees, including cost recovery and land use fees.
This directly addresses financial and bureaucratic barriers, potentially making it significantly easier and more affordable for land grant communities to continue their traditional practices.
PROVISION 04
Allows federal agencies to enter into subsidiary agreements with individual qualified land grant-mercedes for specific projects consistent with the main MOU.
This provides flexibility for tailored arrangements that meet the unique needs of different land grant communities and specific projects within the broader cooperative framework.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· New Mexico
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
38
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 1 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTSMAY 21
Subcommittee Hearings Held
MAY 12
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
APR 9
Introduced in House
APR 9
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2785
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedApr 9, 2025
Last actionMay 21, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 9, 2025
House BillHR 2785Water storageLicensing and registrations
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
INTRODUCED APR 9, 2025· LAST ACTION MAY 21, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
11 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
