NM HM24

Requests the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty Division of the Department of Justice and the Land Grant Council to study consequences of restructuring governance of the Las Vegas land grant

The Las Vegas land grant is the only land grant in New Mexico managed by a district court rather than heirs or occupants, a structure established in 1903 under Chapter 49, Article 6 NMSA 1978

Ownership disputes originated from competing claims after the Mexican government conveyed the land to multiple grantees between 1821 and 1835, with court management resulting after U.S. occupation in 1846

Both the Fourth Judicial District Court and land grant members agree the current governance structure should be changed, but the court has expressed confusion about how to perform its management duties

Findings and conclusions must be reported to appropriate legislative committees by December 1, 2026