RELATING TO WATER; PROVIDING PROTECTION FOR WATER RIGHTS CONSERVED AS A RESULT OF PUTTING WATER-SAVING TECHNIQUES INTO PRACTICE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 72-5-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 49, Section 43, as amended) is amended to read:

"72-5-18. WATER ALLOWANCE.--In the issuance of permits

to appropriate water for irrigation or in the adjudication of

the rights to the use of water for that purpose, the amount allowed shall be based upon beneficial use and in accordance

with good agricultural practices and the amount allowed shall

not exceed such amount. The state engineer shall permit the

amount allowed to be diverted at a rate consistent with good

agricultural practices and that will result in the most

effective use of available water in order to prevent waste.

Improved irrigation methods resulting in the conservation of

water shall not affect an owner's water rights."