New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HM56: STUDY TRANSFERING OWNERSHIP OF ORPHANED WELLS
Status: Introduced, February 9, 2026
What the bill says
From the introduced text, February 9, 2026:
wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ HOUSE MEMORIAL 57TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - SECOND SESSION, 2026 INTRODUCED BY Raymundo Lara A MEMORIAL REQUESTING THE OIL CONSERVATION DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY POTENTIAL OPTIONS FOR TRANSFERRING OWNERSHIP OF ORPHANED WELLS TO THIRD PARTIES INTERESTED IN DEVELOPMENT FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND HYDROCARBON RECOVERY PROJECTS. WHEREAS, an orphaned well is an oil or gas well that is no longer in active production and for which the owner or operator is unknown, insolvent or otherwise unable to pay for the proper plugging and abandonment; and WHEREAS, orphaned wells pose serious environmental and public health hazards due to leaking methane, toxins, volatile organic compounds and brine into the surrounding soil, air and water, which can degrade ecosystems, contribute to increased risks of cancer and contribute to worsening air quality .233801.1 wen = lairetam derocsrednu eteled = ]lairetam detekcarb[ conditions; and WHEREAS, there are estimated to be at least one thousand seven hundred orphaned wells in the state, with another three thousand four hundred inactive or very low-producing wells that could potentially become orphaned; and WHEREAS, the legislative finance committee has estimated the state's liability for properly cleaning up and plugging these wells at anywhere between seven hundred million dollars ($700,000,000) and one billion six …
Sponsors
- Raymundo Lara (D, HD-034) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Sent to HENRC - Referrals: HENRC
- : Action Postponed Indefinitely
Subjects: MEMORIALS, OTHER, ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES
Common questions
- What is HM56?
- HM56 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): STUDY TRANSFERING OWNERSHIP OF ORPHANED WELLS.
- What is the status of HM56?
- Introduced as of February 9, 2026. Latest action: Sent to HENRC - Referrals: HENRC (February 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HM56?
- Raymundo Lara (D, HD-034).
- Where is the official record for HM56?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=M&legNo=56&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.