AN ACT

RELATING TO LAND GRANTS; CLARIFYING BOARD OF TRUSTEE AUTHORITY; CLARIFYING EJECTMENT PROCEDURES.

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

     Section 1. Section 49-1-22 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2004, Chapter 124, Section 2) is recompiled as Section 49-1-11.1 NMSA 1978 and is amended to read:

     "49-1-11.1. RIGHTS OF LESSEES AND PURCHASERS.--

          A. A person who is not an heir and who has purchased or leased property within the limits of a land grant-merced shall only have a right to the lands acquired through the purchase or lease but not to any common lands within the land grant-merced.

          B. The provisions of Chapter 49, Article 1 NMSA 1978 shall not diminish, extinguish or otherwise impair any private property interest located within the boundaries of a land grant-merced or be construed to grant the board of trustees of a land grant-merced regulatory authority over such property interests or lands other than the common lands. As used in this subsection, "property interest" includes valid easements and rights of access, but does not include use rights to the common lands of the land grant-merced."

     Section 2. Section 49-1-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 42, Section 15, as amended) is amended to read:

     "49-1-15. REMOVAL FROM LAND GRANT-MERCED--DELINQUENCY--FORFEITURE.--

          A. If a person holds in possession or claims in private ownership, within the exterior boundaries of a land grant-merced, any tract, piece or parcel of land to which, in the opinion of the board of trustees, the person has no right or title, the board may institute an action of ejectment in district court against the person. If upon the trial it is determined that such possession is without right, judgment shall be rendered in favor of the board for possession of the tract, piece or parcel of land and for such damages as it may have proved for the wrongful detention.

          B. Any delinquent heir shall lose all right that the heir may have had to use the common lands of the land grant-merced unless the heir pays in full all legal assessments or dues due by the heir."

     Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.