New Mexico Statutes Chapter 42. Actions and Proceedings Relating to Property § 42-2-3. Purpose

A. the state may acquire, either temporarily or permanently, public or privately owned lands, real property or any interests therein, including water rights or any easements deemed necessary or desirable for present or future public road, street or highway purposes by gift, agreement, purchase, exchange, condemnation or otherwise. Such lands or interests in real property may be acquired in fee simple;

B. present or future public road, street or highway purposes include the taking of personal property, land or any interest in real property, under the Highway Beautification Act;  1

C. the state may use the special alternative procedure to acquire lands or any interest therein for any public purpose for which the power of eminent domain may be properly exercised; and

D. for the purposes provided in Subsections A through C of this section, when state-owned property must be taken, the state board of finance shall first determine the greater public need, unless the state defendant in whom title is vested concedes that the purpose for which the property is sought to be taken is the greater public need.