STATE News:

• Bill backed by Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard would require public notice on land exchanges and sales, proposals for large transmission lines and pipelines

SANTA FE – SB 458, introduced by Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-15), will have its first hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb 26 in the Senate Conservation Committee. The bill requires public notice and input prior to the land office taking final action on proposed land sales, land exchanges and rights-of-way (ROW) permits for large-scale electrical transmission lines and oil/gas pipelines involving state trust lands.

“This bill is a direct response to concerns that I heard from communities as I travelled New Mexico as a candidate for this office. To date, there has been limited accountability to the public when it comes to what we do with state trust land,” Commissioner Garcia Richard said.

The bill requires notice of a proposed land sale, land exchange or certain right-of-way permits to be published on the land office’s website and in a newspaper of general circulation in Santa Fe as well as in the community near the site of the proposed activity. Public meetings are to occur near the location of the proposed activity as well.

“I want to remedy the concerns I heard from citizens. Putting this accountability into law will assure that all future commissioners will be required to do business in the light of day and with input from New Mexicans and impacted communities,” the Commissioner said.

The Senate Conservation Committee meets at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Capitol room 311.