Senate committee advances Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination as state engineer to full Senate

A state Senate committee on Wednesday voted to advance Elizabeth “Liz” Anderson’s nomination to be New Mexico’s state engineer to the full Senate, proponents said, citing her 25 years of experience in water engineering and recent service in the agency.

Senator Stefanik, who sponsored the nomination, told committee members that Anderson is a licensed professional engineer educated in New Mexico and has more than 25 years working on water issues. “She brings to us a lot of experience for this position,” Stefanik said in opening remarks.

The state engineer is the state’s principal water manager. Anderson told the committee she grew up in Albuquerque, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of New Mexico and has worked in both private consulting and public utility roles, including as a senior adviser in the Office of the State Engineer since 2023. “I intend to deliver on the governor’s water priorities laid out in the 50‑year water action plan and build on the excellent work that’s been done,” Anderson said.

Supporters from irrigation districts, regional water commissions and academia told the committee Anderson has experience on large water and wastewater projects and in stakeholder outreach. Aaron Balak, superintendent of the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District, said his district represents roughly 10,000 irrigated acres and “we stand in strong support of Miss Anderson’s appointment.” Bruce Thompson, a retired University of New Mexico civil engineering professor, said Anderson has a “reputation, experience, and integrity to lead the state.”

Committee members asked Anderson about priorities and operations. Anderson said aquifer mapping is a state priority supported by the governor’s 50‑year water action plan and by funding efforts now underway, and that she has already visited several district offices and ag districts. She also described ongoing legislation addressing illegal diversion and enforcement, which she identified as Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 348, and said those enforcement measures were a priority for the office.

Senator Stewart moved to advance the nomination to the full Senate. The committee recorded the following roll call on the motion: Senator Block — Aye; Senator Brantley — Yes; Senator Gallegos — Yes; Senator Stefanik — Yes; Senator Stewart — Yes; Senator Townsend — Yes; Senator Jaramillo — Yes; Senator Duhigg — Yes. Senator Lopez and Senator Bergman were recorded as excused. The motion carried and the nomination will go to the full Senate for consideration later in the day.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Anderson would be the first woman to serve as New Mexico’s state engineer, a point noted by Stefanik during the hearing. Anderson emphasized collaboration with stakeholders and operational support for staff to make data‑driven decisions.

The committee hearing brought public advocates and water officials together to press for better aquifer data and continued enforcement of water rights while supporters emphasized continuity and local experience as assets in the office’s leadership transition.