URGENT 2026 LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION
2026 LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION: Fund New Mexico’s Water Future
New Mexico has the laws to solve our water crisis, but the Legislature is effectively vetoing them through underfunding. By providing less than 18% of the budget requested by our state water agencies in the FY27 proposed budget, the Legislature is committing a form of fiscal malpractice that leaves landmark laws like the 2023 Water Security Planning Act as nothing more than empty promises.
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Agency Need: $132.8 Million
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Legislative Offer: $23.25 Million (Less than 18%)
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The Gap: $110 Million Unfunded
To avoid costly litigation and federal court-mandated water cuts, the 2026 Legislature must bridge this gap and fully fund the OSE/ISC agency requests.
This funding is critical for:
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Rio Grande Compact Compliance (Meeting legal debts to avoid lawsuits and cuts)
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Agency Capacity & Modernization (Fixing antiquated systems and implementing active water administration)
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Regional Water Security Planning (Giving local communities the tools to survive shortages)
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Legal & Tribal Settlement Obligations (Fulfilling our promises to New Mexico’s Tribes)
We cannot manage what we do not fund.
What You Must Do: A Call to Protect New Mexico’s Water
The House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC) is currently proposing a “starvation budget” that ignores 82% of our water needs. You must demand that they bridge the $110 million gap by fully funding the OSE/ISC agency requests.
Take Action Now
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➡️ [Find Your Legislator]: Call, write, or visit your State Representative and Senator. A phone call is the most effective way to be heard. Leave a message with a secretary and/or ask to speak to their legislative aide.
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➡️ [Send the Sample Letter]: Copy the letter, personalize and send it directly to your legislator and the HAFC. Personalized letters are rare and highly effective.
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➡️ Share Your Story: Tell them briefly how dwindling water supplies affect your community or your family’s future.
The Demand: Fully Fund the $132.8M OSE/ISC Agency Requests
To ensure New Mexico can meet its legal obligations and manage its dwindling resources, the Legislature must support these three critical priorities as part of their funding.:
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Restore the $50M Compact Request: We must fund Rio Grande Compact compliance now to avoid federal court intervention and mandatory water cuts within 2–3 years.
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Fund the Data & Science: Provide the $22M needed for aquifer mapping and IT modernization—we cannot manage what we do not measure.
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Fund the Planning: Fully fund the 2023 Water Security Planning Act so local communities have the tools to justly adapt to shortages.