Rule 1-071.5. Statutory stream system adjudication suits; excusal or recusal of a water judge.

Each water judge in each judicial district, including judges assigned to stream system adjudications, whether judges pro tempore or sitting judges, are designated by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Paragraph E of Rule 1-088 NMRA applies and water judges cannot be excused peremptorily. If there is an excusal for cause or a recusal, the chief justice shall reassign the water right matter to another designated water judge. [Provisionally approved by Supreme Court Order No. 07-8300-013 for one year, effective June 13, 2007; provisionally approved by Supreme Court Order 08-8300 for one additional year, effective June 9, 2008; provisionally approved by Supreme Court Order No. 09-8300-015, for one additional year, effective June 9, 2009; provisionally approved by Supreme Court Order No. 10-8300-020, for one additional year, effective June 8, 2010; approved by Supreme Court Order No. 11-8300-027, effective for new and pending cases on or after June 8, 2011.]