Summary:

 House Bill 126 (HB 126) appropriates three million dollars ($3,000,000) to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for the operations and programs of Soil and Water Conservation Districts statewide  
 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 126 (HB 126) appropriates three million dollars ($3,000,000) from the General Fund (GF) to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for expenditure for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) for the operations and programs of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) statewide to carry out their statutory responsibilities.  
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2026 reverts to the GF.


 

Current Law:

 Soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) are independent subdivisions of state government, governed by boards of supervisors, local landowners, and residents who are either elected or appointed. The Soil and Water Conservation District Act (73-20-25 through 73-20-48 NMSA 1978) establishes the legal framework for establishing and operating a SWCD and allows landowners to work together to manage soil erosion, flood prevention, and water conservation practices within their local areas.to perform a variety of functions.  Besides developing conservation plans, a SWCD will implement conservation practices on private lands and coordinate with other government agencies on conservation efforts.