United States 119th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 1363 — New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 09, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill creates a framework for cooperation between federal agencies and New Mexico land grants-mercedes regarding land use.

This bill requires the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to sign an agreement with the New Mexico Land Grant Council. It aims to outline how land grants-mercedes can seek approval for historical and traditional uses of federal lands while ensuring consultation with Indian tribes.

What this means for you
  • Families: This bill could help families in New Mexico's land grants-mercedes communities by enabling them to better access and utilize federal lands for their traditional practices.

Summary

New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination ActThis bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to describe existing processes that land grants-mercedes may use to obtain authorization for historical, traditional, or other uses of federal lands. Land grants-mercedes were created when Spain and Mexico issued grants of land to communities or individuals. When the United States acquired the land, including New Mexico, a process was created for adjudicating and recognizing these property rights. During that process, most land grants-mercedes lands became federal lands. Today, New Mexico recognizes 27 community land grants-mercedes as political subdivisions. When entering into the memorandum of understanding, the BLM and the Forest Service must consult with Indian tribes. The memorandum of understanding must provide for (1) enhanced cooperation and coordination between the BLM, the Forest Service, and qualified land grants-mercedes; and (2) subsidiary agreements with certain land grants-mercedes for specific projects.Additionally, the bill outlines what the memorandum of understanding must describe, such as the procedures for notice and comments on land management planning decisions.Finally, the BLM and the Forest Service must include in land use plans a section that evaluates the impact of other uses in the plan on historical or traditional uses by land grants-mercedes.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

11 added · 5 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill S. 1363 replaces the previous text regarding land or interest in land owned by the United States. It specifies that any references to this land should omit certain parts now struck through and include the new text. This change clarifies how land or interests owned by the United States are referred to in the bill.

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Latest
1363 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
1363 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
476 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To provide for greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant- mercedes in New Mexico relating to historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land, and for other purposes.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources July 23, 2026 Reported by Mr.
Lee, with an amendment [Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To provide for greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant- mercedes in New Mexico relating to historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land, and for other purposes.
(2) Federal land.-- (A) In general.--The term ``Federal land'' means any land or interest in land owned by the United States.
(2) Federal land.-- (A) In general.--The term ``Federal land'' means any land or interest in land owned by the United States under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned.
<all>
Calendar No.
476 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S.
1363 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To provide for greater cooperation and coordination between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of land grant- mercedes in New Mexico relating to historical or traditional uses of certain land grant-mercedes on Federal public land, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________ July 23, 2026 Reported with an amendment
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Sections of law this bill changes

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-124).

Also cites: 16 U.S.C. § 1604, 25 U.S.C. § 5131, 43 U.S.C. § 1712

Action History

  1. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. Without written report.

  2. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee with an amendment. Without written report.

  3. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 476.

  4. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

  5. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

  6. Introduced in Senate

  7. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 546 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights environment agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does S 1363 do?
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination ActThis bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to describe existing processes that land grants-mercedes may use to obtain authorization for historical, traditional, or other uses of federal lands. Land grants-mercedes were created when Spain and Mexico issued grants of land to communities or individuals. When the United States acquired the land, including New Mexico, a process was created for adjudicating and recognizing these property rights. During that process, most land grants-mercedes lands became federal lands. Today, New Mexico recognizes 27 community land grants-mercedes as political subdivisions. When entering into the memorandum of understanding, the BLM and the Forest Service must consult with Indian tribes. The memorandum of understanding must provide for (1) enhanced cooperation and coordination between the BLM, the Forest Service, and qualified land grants-mercedes; and (2) subsidiary agreements with certain land grants-mercedes for specific projects.Additionally, the bill outlines what the memorandum of understanding must describe, such as the procedures for notice and comments on land management planning decisions.Finally, the BLM and the Forest Service must include in land use plans a section that evaluates the impact of other uses in the plan on historical or traditional uses by land grants-mercedes.
Who sponsors S 1363?
S 1363 is sponsored by Luján, Ben Ray (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 1363?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 09, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S 1363?
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