The record

LegislationLegislation· Sep 2026
S 1363 Passed Senate — in House

Sponsored by Ben Ray Luján (D)

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

Directs BLM and Forest Service to work with New Mexico land grant communities on traditional uses of federal land.

Tradeoff

Creates a framework for New Mexico's 27 recognized community land grants to obtain permits for traditional activities like gathering, grazing, and hunting on federal lands. Does not create new rights or override existing tribal treaties or state game and water regulations.

What's in it

See official bill text

Costs approximately $2 million over 2026-2031 for federal staff to implement the memorandum of understanding and guidance.

The $2 million is the federal cost to hire staff and develop guidance for the coordination process — the policy's real impact is on New Mexico land grant communities' ability to access federal lands and potentially avoid fees they would otherwise owe.

S. 1363, New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act · May 2026

Passed the Senate by on September 23, 2026 — sitting in the House.

  1. Senate

    Introduced

    (Apr 9, 2025)

  2. Senate

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources(Apr 9, 2025)

  3. Senate

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to send it to the floor

    Reported(Dec 17, 2025)

  4. Senate

    Passage of the bill

    Passed by (Sep 23, 2026)

    No individual votes were recorded.

  5. House

    Received from the Senate

    Received(Sep 24, 2026)