MOD
HJR 08
NO PRIOR APPROPRIATION FOR WATER ADMIN, CA
- Legislative URL:
- HJR 08 on nmlegis.gov
- Emergency Clause:
- No
- Germane:
- N/A
- Location:
- HGEIC
- Action:
- [5] HGEIC/HWMC/HJC-HGEIC API.
- Issue(s):
- Water Quality & Supply
Related Legislators
- Bill Sponsor:
- Bill McCamley
Related Documents
- Downloads:
-
Introduced
Fiscal Impact Report
Summary
This joint resolution proposes to amend Article 16, Section 2 of the Constitution of New Mexico to:
- remove the requirement that priority of appropriation shall be given the better right with regard to the administration of water rights; and to
- require that:
- the amount of water available for beneficial use in each stream system of the state must be estimated annually prior to the beginning of the irrigation season, and
- the amount of water available for current agricultural beneficial uses based upon that estimate must be allocated on a pro rata per acre basis to each owner of a water right used for agricultural purposes as provided by law.
A possible benefit, or concern, regarding this joint resolution is that it removes the controversial constitutional mandate that “Priority of appropriation shall give the better right” and replaces that language with a clear emphasis on allocating water based on “current agricultural beneficial uses.”