New Mexico Senate Bill SB87

New Mexico 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/23
• Report Pass: 2/16/23

Caption

Land Grant Waste Removal

Impact

If enacted, SB87 would significantly impact state laws regarding waste management and environmental protection. It specifically provides financial support to the Department of Environment, which would enable it to contract services for waste removal. This action not only seeks to enhance public health and safety but also aims to reinforce the principle of maintaining clean and safe common lands that are integral to community land grants. The bill's funding mechanism indicates a recognition of the need for state intervention in tackling waste issues that local communities may lack the resources to manage effectively.

Summary

Senate Bill 87, introduced by Leo Jaramillo, aims to address environmental concerns by appropriating funds specifically for the removal of solid, liquid, and hazardous waste from the common lands of community land grants organized under state law. The bill proposes an allocation of one million dollars from the general fund for this purpose, to be utilized in the fiscal year 2024. The initiative is an effort to clean up areas that have suffered from illegal dumping, thereby promoting better environmental stewardship in the community land grant areas across New Mexico.

Contention

While SB87 presents clear benefits in terms of waste removal and environmental care, there could be points of contention concerning the allocation and effectiveness of the appropriated funds. Some stakeholders may raise questions about the accountability of the spending and the process of selecting contractors for waste removal services. Additionally, debates may arise around the broader implications of state involvement in local land management issues, especially in community jurisdictions that value local control over such resources.