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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Taylor
DATE TYPED 2/25/05
HB
SHORT TITLE State Trail System Right-Of-Way Liability
SB 661
ANALYST Aguilar
APPROPRIATION
Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring
or Non-Rec
Fund
Affected
FY05
FY06
FY05
FY06
NFI
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates House Bill 430 & Senate Bill 332
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC Files
Responses Received From
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
Attorney Generals Office (AGO)
Commissioner of Public Lands (SLO)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 661 modifies Section 16-3-9 NMSA 1978 which currently provides tort immunity to
a person or corporation that has granted a right-of-way or easement to the energy, minerals and
natural resources department (EMNRD) for use in the state trails system, for injuries suffered on
the right-of-way or easement. This bill adds “governmental entity” as a grantor and provides
added protection to the entity.
Significant Issues
The Attorney Generals Office notes governmental immunity from tort liability relates primarily
to the application of the doctrine of sovereign immunity and the waivers of sovereign immunity
allowed under the NM Tort Claims Act 1978 NMSA §41-4-1 et seq. This statutory amendment
may modify waivers of immunity, which have been granted under the Tort Claims Act
pg_0002
Senate Bill 661 -- Page 2
State parks Division notes the number one recreation priority that the citizens of New Mexico
identified in the 2004 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was trails. This bill would
enhance the ability of the State to provide more trails for the citizens by providing a mechanism
to remove liability from governmental landowners for potential development and inclusion in the
statewide trails system.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
Enactment of this bill may assist the State Parks Division meet performance measures relating to
the number of visitors to state parks.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The New Mexico State Trails System Act already provides an exemption of liability to any per-
son or corporation that grants a trails right-of-way to EMNRD except under the conditions of
gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct (Section 16-3-9 NMSA 1978); however this
amendment to the same section of the Act will limit liability of governmental entities, such as
irrigation districts, that grant easements to EMNRD. Further, this bill would remove a major im-
pediment to key players participating in such projects and has the potential to get huge sections
of trail networks that already exist along the Rio Grande and other places opened more quickly to
public use.
PA/sb:lg