S. 1363 Passed the Senate Public Lands and Natural Resources

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

A bill to provide for greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes in New Mexico relating to historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] Introduced April 9, 2025 Cosponsors 0 Latest action September 24, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to describe existing processes that land grants-mercedes may use to obtain authorization for historical, traditional, or other uses of federal lands. 
Land grants-mercedes were created when Spain and Mexico issued grants of land to communities or individuals. When the United States acquired the land, including New Mexico, a process was created for adjudicating and recognizing these property rights. During that process, most land grants-mercedes lands became federal lands. Today, New Mexico recognizes 27 community land grants-mercedes as political subdivisions. 
When entering into the memorandum of understanding, the BLM and the Forest Service must consult with Indian tribes. 
The memorandum of understanding must provide for (1) enhanced cooperation and coordination between the BLM, the Forest Service, and qualified land grants-mercedes; and (2) subsidiary agreements with certain land grants-mercedes for specific projects.
Additionally, the bill outlines what the memorandum of understanding must describe, such as the procedures for notice and comments on land management planning decisions.
Finally, the BLM and the Forest Service must include in land use plans a section that evaluates the impact of other uses in the plan on historical or traditional uses by land grants-mercedes.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Sep 24, 2026 Held at the desk.
  2. Sep 24, 2026 Received in the House.
  3. Sep 24, 2026 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  4. Sep 23, 2026 Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4898-4901; text: CR S4898-4901)
  5. Jul 23, 2026 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.
  6. Jul 23, 2026 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. Without written report.
  7. Dec 17, 2025 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
  8. Dec 2, 2025 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
  9. Apr 9, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  10. Apr 9, 2025 Introduced in Senate

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