NM SM13

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

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

Mexican government conveyed the land to multiple grantees between 1821 and 1835, creating competing ownership claims that led to court administration after U.S. occupation in 1846

Fourth Judicial District Court and land grant members both agree the current governance structure should be changed, but the historically complex situation requires further study

Findings and conclusions must be reported to appropriate legislative committees addressing land grants and rural communities by December 1, 2026