WATCH: Luján Delivers Major Win for New Mexico’s Land Grant Communities and Traditional Uses

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led the unanimous Senate passage of the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act, legislation to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law. The legislation was introduced by Senator Luján and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.). WATCH : Luján Secures Unanimous Consent Request on U.S. Senate Floor Senator Luján has championed this legislation for years, previously passing it through the House of Representatives while serving in the House and continuing that effort in the Senate. “Land grant communities in New Mexico have cared for our lands, sustained our communities, and preserved traditions deeply rooted in our state’s history and culture,” said Senator Luján . “For too long, these communities have faced unnecessary barriers when working with the federal government. This legislation has been years in the making, and I’m proud that we are one step closer toward making this law. This is about making sure the people who have cared for these lands for generations have a stronger voice in the decisions that affect their communities, livelihoods, and traditions.” “The New Mexico Land Grant Council is excited that Senate Bill 1363, the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act, passed the United States Senate today. The Bill has been in the works for over a decade, and Senator Luján has been a tireless advocate fighting for its passage. The Bill provides a mechanism for land grant-merced communities to get meaningful recognition of their connection to, and traditional use of former common lands now managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico,” said Chairman Juan Sánchez, New Mexico Land Grant Council. “El Consejo de Las Mercedes is pleased that the U.S. Senate passed Senate Bill 1363 today. The New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act is a monumental step forward to ensuring that land grant-merced communities have continued access to traditional uses on our historic lands that are now under the control of the Federal Government,” said Jason Quintana, President, El Consejo de Las Mercedes . The New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act: Directs the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Agriculture (USDA), through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council, to clarify existing agency processes that qualified land grant-mercedes may use to seek authorization for historical or traditional uses on Federal public lands, including permit requirements and associated fees; Clarifies that the MOU does not directly authorize any uses or activities on Federal public lands; Directs the DOI and USDA to consult with Tribes when the MOU is entered into, extended, renewed or revised; Ensures that the MOU contains a description of the notice and comment procedures on agency land management planning decisions, and that qualified land grant-mercedes, the New Mexico Land Grant Council, and Tribes are notified of opportunities to comment on and be involved in agency land management planning decisions; and Requires the DOI and the USDA to evaluate impacts on historical or traditional uses in Federal land use planning. In April 2025, Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández reintroduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act. In December 2025, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed the legislation. A summary of the bill is available HERE . Full text of the legislation is available HERE . ###