Summary:

  Senate Memorial 2 (SM 2) requests the New Mexico Legislative Council to direct the creation of a wildfire study group to study and develop a comprehensive approach to address and mitigate wildfires in New Mexico. 

 

Legislation Overview:

 Senate Memorial 2 (SM 2) requests the New Mexico Legislative Council to direct the creation of a wildfire study group to study and develop a comprehensive approach to address and mitigate wildfires in New Mexico.

SM 2 finds:
•	New Mexico has endured yet another wildfire season, among the most devastating in the state’s history; 
•	It is important to align the priorities of first responders, local, state and federal officials, utilities, landowners and other stakeholders;
•	Providing strategic state support to public and private wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts may help attain these priorities more easily; and
•	A study group would be a collaborative effort to align activities in support of forest management, community protection, utilities and state efforts.

SM 2 requests that:
•	The New Mexico Legislative Council (NMLC) direct the creation of a study group that will include stakeholders to study, develop and make recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee for a comprehensive statewide approach to address, avoid and mitigate wildfires, including recommendations for necessary funding and proposed legislation;
•	The goals of the study group, which is an extensive list, include identifying areas of high risk; developing emergency response plans; effective outreach on mitigation plans and policies; and identifying support mechanisms for affected communities, individuals, businesses and utilities in the aftermath of wildfire devastation and restoration of infrastructure;
•	The study group be composed of a minimum of eleven members, one each appointed from the agencies and stakeholder entities enumerated in SM 2;
•	The NMLC be requested to engage the Forestry Division (FD) of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department  (EMNRD) to coordinate the activities of the study group, including meeting at regular intervals, and to write a final report detailing the findings and recommendations of the study group;
•	The study group presents its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee by 1 November 2025;
•	The co-chairs of the NMLC; the governor; the attorney general; the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources; the chair of the Public Regulation  Commission; the secretary of Indian affairs; the secretary of homeland security and emergency management; the president of the New Mexico rural electric cooperatives; the presidents and chief executive officers of the investor-owned electric utility companies in New Mexico; the executive director of the New Mexico Association of Counties; and the executive director of the New Mexico Municipal League each receive a copy of SM 2.
 

Amendments:

 3/11/25
The senate amended SCONCaa/SM 2 (SCONCaa/Sfla/SM 2) by increasing the number on the Wildfire Study Group to fourteen members including one representative of a state-based property insurance carrier trade association, appointed by the state forester, after consulting with the Office of Superintendent of Insurance. It requests that the director of the state-based property insurance carrier trade association receive a copy of the memorial along with the other officials named.

2/25/25
The Senate Conservation Committee amended SRCa/SM 2 (SCONCaa/SM2) by increasing the number on the Wildfire Study Group to thirteen.  It adds findings that recognizes the stewardship by Indian nations, tribes and pueblo of the lands of present day New Mexico; that co-management and co-stewardship principles recognize the deep expertise of indigenous nations in sustaining the health of lands, waters and ecosystem; and that the enduring ecological and cultural wisdom of Indian nations, tribes and pueblos guide policies and management strategies. It requests the superintendent of insurance be added to those entities and officials who will receive a copy of SCONCaa/SM 2

2/14/25
The Senate Rules Committee amended SM 2 (SM2 A SRC) by increasing the number of members of the wildlife study group to twelve and including a representative from the State Land Office. It directs the commissioner of public lands be included in those officials receiving a copy of SM 2A SRC.