New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HB111: WATER LAW VIOLATION MAXIMUM PENALTY
Status: Signed into law, March 4, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to water; increasing the maximum penalty for a violation of water law.
From the enrolled text, March 5, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO WATER; INCREASING THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR A VIOLATION OF WATER LAW. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 72-2-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2001, Chapter 143, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read: "72-2-18. STATE ENGINEER--ENFORCEMENT--COMPLIANCE ORDERS--PENALTY.-- A. When a person, pursuant to a finding of fact, violates a requirement or prohibition of Chapter 72 NMSA 1978, a regulation, code, order or special order adopted by the state engineer pursuant to Section 72-2-8 NMSA 1978, a condition of a permit or license issued by the state engineer pursuant to law or an order entered by a court adjudicating a water right, the state engineer may, in addition to any other remedies available under law, issue a compliance order stating with reasonable specificity the nature of the violation and requiring compliance within a specified time period. A compliance order shall not be effective against a party other than the person against whom the compliance order is issued. B. This section shall not be construed to affect or interfere with any jurisdiction of an irrigation district, a conservancy district, a state court, a federal court or an HB Page Indian nation, tribe or pueblo to enforce its orders and decrees pertaining to water rights. C. A compliance order may …
Sponsors
- Kristina Ortez (D, HD-042) · primary sponsor
- Mimi Stewart (D, SD-017)
- Andrea Romero (D, HD-046)
- Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039)
- James G. Townsend (R, SD-034)
- Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D, SD-016)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 28 - Mar. 4
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:39 N:3
- : SCONC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to SCONC - Referrals: SCONC
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:51 N:3
- : HJC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : HAAWC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HAAWC - Referrals: HAAWC/HJC
Votes
- Senate Floor Vote (February 15, 2026): 39 yea, 3 nay, passed
- House Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 51 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: CRIMES & PENALTIES, WATER & WATER RIGHTS (acequias, irrigation, rivers)
Common questions
- What is HB111?
- HB111 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): WATER LAW VIOLATION MAXIMUM PENALTY.
- What does HB111 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to water; increasing the maximum penalty for a violation of water law.
- What is the status of HB111?
- Signed into law as of March 4, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 28 - Mar. 4 (March 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB111?
- Kristina Ortez (D, HD-042), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB111?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=B&legNo=111&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.