Panel stalls natural resources bill

SANTA FE (AP) - A House committee has stalled legislation that would allow New Mexico's natural resources trustee to pursue damages from polluters who have compromised groundwater or other natural resources.

Some opponents have criticized the legislation's language for going too far and essentially transferring power from the Legislature to the trustee, an unelected position without public oversight.

The bill's sponsor, Democratic Rep. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe, tried to address concerns by amending the bill to limit the discretion of the natural resources trustee and protect private property rights. However, the committee split along party lines on efforts to both approve the measure and table it.

The bill's fate is now uncertain, but Egolf says it's important because it would ensure taxpayers aren't left paying for groundwater pollution.