S. 1363, the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act, passed the Senate on September 23, 2026.
S. 1363 — New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Us…
What it does
This bill directs the federal government (USDA and Interior Department) to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with New Mexico's Land Grant Council to clarify how heirs of Spanish/Mexican land grants can conduct traditional, noncommercial uses on federal land—such as gathering wood, herbs, water, grazing, hunting, and maintaining cemeteries and shrines. The bill allows the federal agencies to reduce or waive permit fees based on the community's financial capacity and requires federal land-use planning to account for these traditional uses.
Quorum's transparency scan found no buried provisions in New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act.
What happens next
S. 1363 passed the Senate. It now moves to the other chamber.
Who is behind it
Filed by Ben Luján.
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