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. 

• Agency Need: $132.8 Million

• Legislative Offer: $23.25 Million (Less than 18%)

• 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:

• Rio Grande Compact Compliance (Meeting legal debts to avoid lawsuits and cuts)

• Agency Capacity & Modernization (Fixing antiquated systems and implementing active water administration)

• Regional Water Security Planning (Giving local communities the tools to survive shortages)

• 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

• ➡️ [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.

• ➡️ [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.

• ➡️ 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.:

• 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.

• Fund the Data & Science: Provide the $22M needed for aquifer mapping and IT modernization—we cannot manage what we do not measure.

• Fund the Planning: Fully fund the 2023 Water Security Planning Act so local communities have the tools to justly adapt to shortages.

We cannot manage what we do not fund. Tell your legislators to reject “fiscal malpractice” and protect our water today!

Thank you. Your voice and your personal story are the most powerful tools we have in the fight for New Mexico’s water security.

¡Agua es Vida: Do Your Part!