The bill amends Section 70-2-11 of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Act to enhance the responsibilities of the Oil Conservation Division and the Oil Conservation Commission. It emphasizes the need for these entities to implement the Oil and Gas Act in a manner that prioritizes the protection of public health and the environment. The division is granted the authority to create and enforce rules, regulations, and orders necessary to fulfill the objectives of the act, ensuring that waste prevention and the protection of correlative rights are maintained.

Key changes in the legal language include the removal of references to "this" act and the insertion of "the Oil and Gas Act" to clarify the specific legislation being referenced. Additionally, the bill specifies that the division's duties include implementing the act in a way that safeguards public health and the environment, thereby reinforcing the importance of environmental considerations in oil and gas operations.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 70-2-11
AA substitute: 70-2-11