N.M. Stat. » N.M. Stat. / Chapter 18 / Article 6
New Mexico Statutes

N.M. Stat. § 18-6-1 (2026)

Short title.

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sections 18-6-1 through 18-6-17 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Cultural
Properties Act".

History: 1953 Comp., § 4-27-4, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 223, § 1; 1977, ch. 246, §
34; 2004, ch. 25, § 27.

                                    ANNOTATIONS

The 2004 amendment, effective May 19, 2004, converted 1953 statutory citations to
NMSA 1978 citations.
18-6-2. Purpose of act.
    The legislature hereby declares that the historical and cultural heritage of the state is
one of the state's most valued and important assets; that the public has an interest in
the preservation of all antiquities, historic and prehistoric ruins, sites, structures, objects
and similar places and things for their scientific and historical information and value; that
the neglect, desecration and destruction of historical and cultural sites, structures,
places and objects results in an irreplaceable loss to the public; and that therefore it is
the purpose of the Cultural Properties Act [18-6-1 to 18-6-17 NMSA 1978] to provide for
the preservation, protection and enhancement of structures, sites and objects of
historical significance within the state, in a manner conforming with, but not limited by,
the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665).

History: 1953 Comp., § 4-27-5, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 223, § 2.

                                      ANNOTATIONS

Cross references. — For the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665),
see 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.

Law reviews. — For note, "Cultural Properties Act — Turley v. State and the New
Mexico Cultural Properties Act: A Matter of Interpretation", see 13 N.M.L. Rev. 737
(1983).

For student article, "The Efficacy of State Law in Protecting Native American Sacred
Places: A Case Study of the Paseo Del Norte Extension," see 47 Nat. Resources J. 969
(2007).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Validity and construction of statute or
ordinance protecting historical landmarks, 18 A.L.R.4th 990.

Application and construction of § 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
(16 USCS § 470f), dealing with federally sponsored projects which affect historic
properties, 68 A.L.R. Fed. 578.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1980–2014 · leading case: Rayellen Res., Inc. v. N.M. Cultural Props. Review Comm., 2014-NMSC-006.
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Rayellen Res., Inc. v. N.M. Cultural Props. Review Comm., 2014-NMSC-006. · cites it 2× “n days after the report’s release, the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation (collectively, the Nominating Tribes) submitted an emergency application to the New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee, requesting that Mount Taylor be…”
Rayellen Resources, Inc. v. New Mexico Cultural Props. Review Comm., 2014-NMSC-006, 5 N.M. 492. · cites it 2× “en days after the report’s release, the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, the Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation (collectively, the Nominating Tribes) submitted an emergency application to the New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee, requesting that Mount Taylor be…”
State v. Turley, 633 P.2d 700 (N.M. Ct. App. 1980). “Statutory Meaning (a) Statutory Scheme The Cultural Properties Act, §§ 18-6-1 through 18-6-17, N.M.S.A. 1978, contains a legislatively-declared purpose.”
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