New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

Senate Bill

S. 1363

119th Congress

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Ben Luján

D - NM

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary

This bill establishes formal cooperation between the federal government and New Mexico's land grant-mercedes (historic Spanish and Mexican community land grants) for traditional uses on federal public lands. It allows heirs of land grants to conduct historical uses like gathering herbs, wood, and flora; subsistence hunting and fishing; maintaining cemeteries; and limited grazing on federal lands that were historically part of their grants.

Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill establishes formal cooperation between the federal government and New Mexico's land grant-mercedes (historic Spanish and Mexican community land grants) for traditional uses on federal public lands. It allows heirs of land grants to conduct historical uses like gathering herbs, wood, and flora; subsistence hunting and fishing; maintaining cemeteries; and limited grazing on federal lands that were historically part of their grants.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Requires BLM and Forest Service to enter MOUs with New Mexico Land Grant Council
Permits historical uses: herb/wood/flora gathering, subsistence hunting/fishing
Allows maintenance of existing monuments, shrines, and cemeteries on federal land
Authorizes fee reductions or waivers for community users
Protects Indian Tribe lands from inclusion in this framework
Ordered favorably reported with amendment

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This legislation directly benefits the hundreds of thousands of heirs of New Mexico's approximately 300 Spanish and Mexican land grants. Many of these communities have maintained traditional practices on lands that became federal property after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. BLM and Forest Service land managers would have new cooperation frameworks. Rural New Mexican communities, particularly Hispanic communities, gain formal recognition of ancestral land use rights.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Subjects

Advisory bodies

Cemeteries and funerals

Government information and archives

Infrastructure development

Land use and conservation

Licensing and registrations

Livestock

New Mexico

Roads and highways

User charges and fees

+1 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1363, 119th Congress (2025). "New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-1363