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S. 1363 119th Congress Senate

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

Official title: A bill to provide for greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant-mercedes i… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: 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.

Introduced: April 9, 2025 Introduced by: Ben Ray Luján Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 24, 2026
Held at the desk.
Sep 24, 2026
Received in the House.
Sep 24, 2026
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Sep 23, 2026
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4898-4901; text: CR S4898-4901)
Sep 23, 2026
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4898-4901; text: CR S4898-4901)
Jul 23, 2026
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.
Jul 23, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. Without written report.
Dec 17, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
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.
Dec 2, 2025
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
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What's happening now September 24, 2026

Held at the desk.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

 Hearings & markups 2
 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 2785 New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Lobbying activity 11

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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1363: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-1363/
MLA
"S. 1363: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-1363/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1363, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-1363/.
Markdown link
[S. 1363: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-1363/)
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