Texas v. New Mexico
United States Supreme Court
462 U.S. 554 (1983)
Facts
In 1947, the states of Texas and New Mexico entered into a compact to apportion water rights relating to the Pecos River. The Pecos River originates in New Mexico and flows into Texas. The compact required New Mexico to ensure that a certain amount of water flowed through to Texas and also set up a three-person commission to resolve disputes. Each state had a voting representative, and the third representative (the US commissioner), acting on behalf of the federal government, did not have a vote. Congress consented to the compact in 1948 as required by the Compact Clause of the United States Constitution. A dispute arose regarding a shortfall in the water flowing from New Mexico to Texas. The New Mexico and Texas voting representatives could not agree. The United States Supreme Court invoked original jurisdiction under Article III of the United States Constitution and 28 U.S.C. § 1251. A court-appointed special master suggested that the court give the US commissioner a tie-breaking vote.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, J.)
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