Committee adds Santa Cruz de la Cañada land grant to state statute, giving it political‑subdivision status

The committee unanimously recommended a due pass for Senate Bill 47, which would add the Santa Cruz de la Cañada land grant to the statutory list of recognized land grants under Chapter 49, Article 1 of New Mexico law, supporters told the committee.

Sponsor Senator Jaramillo said the bill recognizes Santa Cruz de la Cañada as a political subdivision so federal and state agencies, local governments and private institutions can clearly see which land grants are local units of government and so the land grant can access state funding. Arturo Archuleta of the New Mexico Land Grant Council told the committee the council supports the measure and described it as a statutory clarification of status that several land grants sought after a prior legislative action that named 26 land grants.

Don Bustos, president of the Santa Cruz de la Cañada land grant, and Brian Martinez, the land grant secretary, described years of community work to meet statutory requirements for recognition and said the board has organized membership, posted meetings and completed administrative steps.

Camila Romero of the New Mexico State Land Office and other witnesses expressed support. An attendee, Alfonso Duran, offered historical context about boundary issues and related legal history; Jose Luis Ortiz (joining online) described the land grant’s work to revitalize agriculture, conserve culture and pursue access to capital.

Committee members asked whether adding the land grant to statute would affect Pueblo or neighboring community water rights or access to cultural sites; sponsors and witnesses said the change clarifies political-subdivision status for funding and administration and does not alter water rights or adjacent Pueblo rights. The committee voted to advance the bill with a unanimous due-pass recommendation.