ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico House panel has voted in favor of legislation that would establish a commission dedicated to studying options for transferring federal lands to state control.
The bill cleared the House Agriculture, Water and Wildlife Committee on a 9-1 vote Wednesday after two hours of debate. It still must clear a number of other committees before reaching the House floor.
Similar efforts have died in the past over the concerns of environmental groups, American Indian tribes and some sportsmen.
Questions about how New Mexico's tribes would be affected came up again Wednesday, but supporters that included ranchers, local government groups and some state land managers suggested New Mexico should at least study the matter.
The commission would consist of four lawmakers, several state agency officials and three public members.