Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill aims to improve cooperation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico. It focuses on historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land. The legislation requires the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council. This memorandum will establish guidelines for various land uses, such as gathering resources, grazing, and maintaining infrastructure. Additionally, the bill addresses permit requirements, land use authorizations, and potential fee reductions. Finally, it directs the Secretary to include considerations for these historical uses in future land use planning.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits specific rural community structures and their traditional land uses in New Mexico.
- Scored +6
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill enhances coordination and land use planning for historical community uses on federal lands.
- Scored +5
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill protects traditions and land uses relevant to many New Mexican communities with Spanish/Mexican heritage.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill requires specific federal agency actions and coordination with local councils, increasing federal involvement in local land management.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Cooperation and Coordination: The bill provides for increased cooperation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of qualified land grant-mercedes (Section 3(a)(2)(A)(i)).
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Clarification of Land Uses: The memorandum of understanding will describe specific types of historical or traditional uses allowed for noncommercial benefit, such as gathering wood, herbs, or botanical products, and subsistence hunting or fishing (Section 2(4)).
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Infrastructure Support: The bill addresses authorization for the routine maintenance and minor improvements of infrastructure, such as trails, roads, fences, and community cemeteries (Section 3(a)(2)(C)).
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Potential Fee Relief: The Secretary is directed to consider the socioeconomic conditions of community users and the operating budgets of governing bodies when determining whether to reduce or waive land use fees (Section 3(b)).
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Improved Planning: The Secretary is required to include sections in land use plans that consider and evaluate the impact of other uses on historical or traditional uses by qualified land grant-mercedes (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Requirement for Permits: Certain historical or traditional uses may still require a permit or other land use authorization from the Secretary concerned (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(i)).
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Potential Fees: The memorandum of understanding may include descriptions of various fees, such as cost recovery and land use fees, associated with obtaining land use authorizations (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(iii)).
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Use Restrictions: The memorandum of understanding may include descriptions of applicable restrictions and prohibitions on historical or traditional uses conducted on Federal land (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(vii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits specific rural community structures and their traditional land uses in New Mexico. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects traditions and land uses relevant to many New Mexican communities with Spanish/Mexican heritage. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for grazing and maintaining livestock-related infrastructure. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill allows for the consideration of socioeconomic conditions to reduce or waive land use fees. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill requires consultation with Indian Tribes regarding land use coordination.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill enhances coordination and land use planning for historical community uses on federal lands. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill supports traditional land uses and infrastructure in New Mexico communities, aiding rural stability. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill provides for the maintenance and improvement of infrastructure such as roads and trails used by land grant-mercedes.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill creates a formal process for cooperation and provides for notice and comment procedures. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill requires specific federal agency actions and coordination with local councils, increasing federal involvement in local land management.
- 5/21/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 5/12/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 4/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico