HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Land Grant-Merced and Acequia Infrastructure Act, which would create a long-term infrastructure fund for acequias and land grant-mercedes across the state. 

House Bill 371, passed by a vote of 63-2, would establish a state trust fund to build long-term revenue for land grant-merced and acequia infrastructure, while also creating a short-term mechanism to help meet the immediate infrastructure needs in these communities. The funding would build up until 2031 or the fund reaches $175 million in annual bonding capacity. This legislation would also improve the distribution process to get these dollars to work on shovel-ready local infrastructure projects across the state. 

“Land grants and acequias are vital to the heritage and the future of New Mexico. This legislation creates a long-overdue source of predictable funding for the land grants and acequias to sustain their precious water supply, natural environment, and critical services,” said lead sponsor Rep. Linda Serrato (D-Santa Fe), who also serves as Chair of the House Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee. “Rather than relying on limited capital outlay appropriations, HB 371 provides these centuries-old communities with the stability and cultural preservation they deserve.”