S. 1363 · Where this bill is now
In the House
Passed the Senate Sep 23, 2026. Received Sep 24, 2026; no House vote yet
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryNew Mexico land grants gain federal land access
This bill tells the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to work out a formal agreement with the New Mexico Land Grant Council about how communities can use federal lands for historical or traditional purposes. These land grants are areas that Spain and Mexico originally gave to communities centuries ago, and some of that land is now owned by the federal government. The agreement would set up clearer processes so these communities know how to ask permission and get their voices heard in land management decisions.
How it affects you
This mainly affects New Mexico communities recognized as land grant-mercedes, which would have better access to use federal lands for purposes tied to their history and traditions. Most other Americans won't see a direct change, but it's a step toward honoring longstanding land rights in New Mexico.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 9, 2025)
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1363
AN ACT
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Sponsor: Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) · Introduced Apr 9, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 24, 2026: “Held at the desk.”