House approves bill to create Land Grant and Acequia infrastructure funds
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Summary
Lawmakers passed House Bill 330 to establish dedicated infrastructure funds for Spanish land grants and acequia communities using severance tax bonding capacity, supporters said the move will address long-standing capital needs in those communities.
The House passed House Bill 330 as twice amended, creating a Land Grant Merced Infrastructure Fund and an Acequia Infrastructure Fund within the state’s severance tax bonding framework, supporters said Monday.
Representative Miguel Garcia, sponsor of the bill, described the measure as a way to create a stable revenue source to address capital needs in Spanish land-grant and acequia communities. He said the legislation places those funds within the state’s severance tax bonding capacity to finance infrastructure projects.
Debate included questions about taxing authority for land grants and the tax policy implications of dedicating severance tax bonding capacity. Representative Duncan opposed the bill in part on tax-policy grounds and said the committee had temporarily tabled tax bills previously; he said this bill represented a departure from that practice.
A question from Representative McQueen clarified that land grants, as political subdivisions of New Mexico, do not have taxing authority. Sponsor Miguel Garcia confirmed the point.
The bill passed final passage on a roll-call vote of 47-16.
Supporters called the measure a correction to support longstanding rural infrastructure needs. Opponents questioned the use of severance tax bonding and the committee process for tax-related proposals.
The bill proceeds to the Senate for consideration.
