Committee forwards memorial advising jurisdictions about flood-control district statute

Representative (speaker 8) presented House Memorial 22 to advise jurisdictions that New Mexico statute permits the creation of flood control districts and that the state currently has two such districts (Albuquerque and Sandoval County). The sponsor said jurisdictions that adopt the statute can levy mills to fund local flood control projects and can apply for federal and state funds.

Representative Block asked whether a task force was intended and whether municipal and county groups had been consulted; the sponsor said no task force was requested and that the municipal league and association of counties had been consulted. Members suggested minor language amendments to broaden causes of wildfires referenced in the memorial; the sponsor said that would be acceptable as a minor amendment. The committee moved and approved a 'do pass' recommendation on the memorial by a 6–3 vote.

The memorial is advisory and does not create new statutory obligations, but supporters said publicizing the authority could help jurisdictions pursue federal funding and technical assistance for flood mitigation.