New Mexico House Bill HJM1

New Mexico 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/22
• Report Pass: 2/8/22
• Engrossed: 2/10/22
• Report Pass: 2/15/22
• Enrolled: 2/17/22
• Passed: 2/17/22

Caption

Consider Drought In Federal Ag Policy

Impact

The focus of HJM1 centers on ensuring that federal agricultural policy takes into account the realities of New Mexico's prolonged drought. Given that agriculture in the state heavily relies on consistent water supplies for both crop and livestock production, the bill signifies an attempt to align federal resources and support with the state's pressing needs, particularly in terms of water management and agricultural sustainability. It highlights the significantly strained water resources due to chronic drought and underlines the importance of federal action to support the local agricultural economy.

Summary

HJM1 is a joint memorial presented in the New Mexico Legislature urging the state's congressional delegation to consider the critical impacts of ongoing drought when formulating federal agricultural policies. The memorial emphasizes the prolonged drought conditions experienced in New Mexico over the past two decades, calling attention to the dire implications for the state's agricultural sector, which generates nearly $3.5 billion annually and supports over 23,000 jobs. The memorial advocates for greater recognition of how federal agricultural policy can help address these challenges.

Contention

While the memorial serves to unify the legislature's request for federal attention, it may provoke discussions about how effectively federal policies can address localized issues such as water shortages caused by climate change and drought. There could be contention regarding the adequacy of federal agricultural policies in mitigating these impacts, especially if federal actions are perceived as insufficient or slow to respond to the urgency presented by the ongoing crisis in New Mexico's agricultural sector. Additionally, debates may arise around the allocation of resources and whether the federal response appropriately balances the needs of all affected regions.