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

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 from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources · U.S. Senate

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Related bills

• H.R. 2785New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination ActRelated bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Sep 24, 2026

   Held at the desk.

2. Sep 24, 2026

   Message on Senate Action Sent to the House.

   Message on Senate action sent to the House.

   U.S. Senate

3. Sep 24, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the House.

   U.S. House of Representatives

4. Sep 23, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4898-4901; text: CR S4898-4901)

   U.S. Senate

5. Jul 23, 2026

   Reported out of committee

   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. Without written report.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.