Summary:

 House Bill 288 (HB 288) appropriates one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to conduct a feasibility study of options for local governance in Chaparral.


 

Legislation Overview:

 House Bill 288 (HB 288) appropriates one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) from the General Fund (GF) to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) for expenditure for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 to conduct a study on the feasibility and costs of options for
local governance in Chaparral, which is currently unincorporated. The study should consider incorporating as a municipality under state law; creating a new county; or moving the line between Otero and Dona Ana counties.
Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2026 reverts to the GF.


 

Current Law:

 Chapparal, New Mexico, an unincorporated community, is primarily a bedroom community for the neighboring city of El Paso, Texas, and the neighboring military installations of White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss. It is located in the southeast corner of Doña Ana County and the southwest corner of Otero County. Its southern border is the Texas state line, more specifically, the northern limit of the city of El Paso. Chaparral is geographically isolated from the rest of Doña Ana County because of its location on the east side of the Franklin Mountains.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaparral,_New_Mexico
The current population of Chaparral, New Mexico is projected to be 15,400. The 2020 US Census recorded the population at 13,744. 
https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/new-mexico/chaparral