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Committee backs bill allowing New Mexico municipalities to form stormwater utilities
Summary
Senate Bill 7 would authorize municipalities to create stormwater utilities and charge a fee to fund stormwater management, a change sponsors and municipal and conservation witnesses said would unlock federal funds and steady local maintenance budgets.
The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 7, legislation that would allow municipalities in New Mexico to create stormwater utilities and levy a "just and reasonable" fee to fund stormwater management.
Sponsor Senator Scherer said the bill is enabling legislation designed to give local governments another tool, not to mandate action. Testimony from engineers, municipal representatives and conservation groups said dedicated funding is necessary for localities to meet impending federal stormwater permits and to maintain infrastructure.
"We need dedicated funding for stormwater management," said Sarah Herto, a conservation professional who described working with municipalities across the state. She told the committee that communities face localized flooding, damaged roadways and difficulty complying with water‑quality rules because stormwater has no dedicated funding stream. David Seifer, public works director for Farmington, said local governments are typically forced to use street funds to cover stormwater work and that a municipal utility would allow more appropriate budgeting.
Municipal League legislative staff, flood‑control authorities and conservation groups testified in favor. Allison Nichols of the New Mexico Municipal League said the measure is an optional tool that could allow municipalities to leverage federal grants and loans. "We like that it allows flexibility for municipalities in managing their stormwater," she said. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District and the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority also voiced support.
Committee members asked whether counties or regional entities could participate and how the change would affect border areas and tribal lands; witnesses said the bill is written to enable municipal action and that counties and existing flood‑control authorities already have or could pursue other mechanisms. The committee voted to give SB7 a due‑pass recommendation.
Votes at a glance: committee approved a due‑pass recommendation on SB7 to allow municipalities to establish stormwater utilities and generate fees to fund planning, maintenance and compliance work.
