Lawmakers want to get rid of grass on most state-owned property
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Lawns around state buildings could soon be no more if a new proposal passes. As New Mexico faces repeated droughts, lawmakers want to get rid of non-functional turf.
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Within a couple of years, under HB 85, state-owned or state-funded buildings would no longer be allowed to install grass. Rep. Kathleen Cates (D- Bernalillo & Sandoval) is co-sponsoring a bill that would prohibit state-funded property from installing nonfunctional turf, starting in 2027.
This means turf that only serves aesthetic purposes such as lawns wouldn't be allowed. 'So that we can lead the way in our water conservation, this is grass that is strictly for aesthetic purposes and it will help us to save our potable water,' said Rep. Cates.
Rep. Cates said the bill came about after a water study from New Mexico Tech that predicted the state would lose up to 25% of its drinkable water in the next 50 years. If the bill were to pass, starting in 2032, only recycled or reclaimed water could be used to irrigate existing nonfunctional turf on state property and any turf that's removed would also have to be replaced with drought and climate-resilient landscaping.
The bill would not affect grass in places like sports fields because the grass serves a purpose. It would also not affect universities, since they already use recycled water. In committee on Wednesday, opponents shared concerns. 'We respectfully oppose this bill. We believe this is an unfunded mandate that would result in significant costs in our municipalities,' said Jared, an opposer of the bill.
Some supporters said they wanted to make sure the initiative is implemented in a responsible way. 'In Albuquerque, they went through with this type of action and they didn't take care of mature trees, so we had a lot of mature trees die from lack of watering,' said Danny Maki, lobbyist for the New Mexico Architect Association.
Rep. Cates said the clock is ticking for New Mexico. 'We are under a water crisis right now and it is an opportunity for our state to be able to take a lead on this and be able to conserve the water,' said Rep. Cates.
Repr. Cates postponed a vote on the bill in order to make some changes, in response to concerns from committee members about how it would be implemented. Once those changes are made, the bill will return to committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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