2023 State Animal Protection Legislation
The 2023 New Mexico legislative session has ended. Read below for a summary of animal-related legislation introduced this year.
Animal Protection Voters Priorities
SB 215: Establish Crime of Bestiality
Sponsors: Senator Mark Moores, Senator Brenda McKenna, Senator Daniel Ivey-Soto, Representative Andrea Reeb, Representative Andrea Romero
New Mexico is one of only two states (West Virginia is the other) where sexual abuse of animals is not a crime. This dangerous gap allows for the proliferation of cruel, harmful acts—which are strongly linked to child sexual abuse, child pornography, and other violent and exploitative crimes. SB 215 will criminalize the sexual abuse of animals.
Status Updates:
- 2/17/23: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (8-1 vote)
- 3/4/23: Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (5-0 vote)
- 3/6/23: Passed the full Senate (40-0 vote)
- 3/13/23: Passed the House Judiciary Committee (11-0 vote)
- 3/15/23: Passed the full House of Representatives (65-0)
- 3/30/23: Signed into law by the Governor! Goes into effect June 16, 2023.
SB 271: Equine Definition
Sponsor: Senator Carrie Hamblen
SB 271 bill gives equine rescues the right of first refusal to save homeless horses before auction. Horses and their equine relatives (donkeys, mules, hinnies, ponies) are an important and treasured part of New Mexico’s economy and Western heritage. These animals should not be funneled into the slaughter pipeline via government auctions if there are state-registered equine rescues able to take them.
Status Updates:
- 2/14/23: Passed the Senate Conservation Committee unanimously (8-0 vote)
- 2/24/23: Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (5-2 vote)
- 3/1/23: Passed the full Senate (31-3 vote)
- 3/9/23: Passed the House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee (8-0 vote)
- 3/14/23: Passed by the full House of Representatives (67-0 vote)
- 3/30/23: Signed into law by the Governor! Goes into effect June 16, 2023.
SB 291: CYFD Domestic Violence Victims & Animals
Sponsor: Senator Nancy Rodriguez
SB 291 will help domestic violence survivors and their animals reach safety. Fear for the welfare of companion animals and the lack of domestic violence shelters that can accommodate them are barriers that prevent survivors from leaving abusive situations to find safety and healing. SB 291 appropriates a much-needed $350,000 to the Children, Youth & Families Department for FY 2024 to fund programs working to provide and support temporary safe havens and emergency veterinary care for animals of domestic violence victims while they transition to safety.
Status Updates:
- 2/15/23: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (8-0)
- Died while awaiting action by the Senate Finance Committee
SB 301: Free-Roaming Horses
Sponsor: Senator Brenda McKenna & Rep. Matthew McQueen
SB 301 amends the state’s current wild horse law to fix gaps and irregularities in the law that are preventing the protection and humane management of free-roaming horse herds in New Mexico. While the bill does not completely “solve” all free-roaming horse issues, it takes a positive step forward in allowing for responsible and humane action to control population numbers and ensure that any horses removed from the landscape are not endangered.
Status Updates:
- 2/16/23: Passed the Senate Conservation Committee (7-0 vote)
- 2/24/23: Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously (7-0)
- 2/28/23: Passed the full Senate (34-2 vote)
- 3/7/23: Tabled (killed) by the House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee (6-2 vote to table)
SB 18: Rename Family Violence Protection Act
Sponsor: Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez & Rep. Pamelya Herndon
Status Updates:
- 2/1/23: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (7-0 vote)
- Died while awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Other Support Bills
HB 153: Livestock Larceny Separate Offenses – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, Rep. Cathrynn Brown, Rep. Jimmy Mason, Rep. Alan Martinez & Rep. Luis Terrazas
Status: 1/26/23: Passed the House Agriculture & Water Committee (5-2 vote (without recommendation))
2/22/23: Passed the House Judiciary Committee (10-0 vote)
2/25/23: Passed the full House of Representatives (55-2 vote)
Died while awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 178: ABQ Westside Animal Shelter Internship – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Rep. Eleanor Chavez, Rep. Tara Jaramillo, Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, Rep Joanne Ferrary & Rep. Art De La Cruz
Status: Died while awaiting action by the House Education Committee
HB 184: State Game Commission Changes – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Rep. Matthew McQueen & Sen. Crystal Diamond
Status: 1/28/23: Passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee (6-3 vote)
2/13/23: Passed the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee (7-2 vote)
2/24/23: Passed the House of Representatives (45-21 vote)
3/4/23: Passed the Senate Rules Committee (8-1 vote)
3/9/23: Passed the Senate Conservation Committee (6-0 vote)
3/15/23: Passed the full Senate (34-2 vote)
Died without a signature by the Governor (pocket veto)
HB 384: Social Worker & Veterinarian Licensure – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Rep. Natalie Figueroa & Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto
Status: 2/27/23: Passed the House Health & Human Services Committee (10-0 vote)
3/8/23: Passed the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee (9-0 vote)
3/14/23: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (7-0 vote)
3/16/23: Passed the full Senate (40-0 vote)
4/5/23: Signed into law by the Governor! Goes into effect July 1, 2023.
HB 452: Veterinarian as Health Care Practitioner – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Rep. Joanne Ferrary, Rep. Susan Herrera, Rep. Micaela Cadena & Rep. Doreen Gallegos
Status: 2/23/23: Passed the House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee (7-0 vote)
Died while awaiting action by the House Judiciary Committee
HB 474: Veterinary Loan Repayment Act – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Rep. Gail Armstrong
Status: Died while awaiting action by the House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee
HB 486: Game & Fish Dept. Changes – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Rep. Matthew McQueen & Rep. Nathan Small
Status: 2/27/23: Passed the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee (6-3 vote (without recommendation))
Died while awaiting action by the House Taxation & Revenue Committee
SB 72: Create Wildlife Corridors Fund – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Sen. Mimi Stewart
Status: 1/31/23: Passed the Senate Conservation Committee (8-0 vote)
2/17/23: Passed the Senate Finance Committee (7-0 vote)
2/22/23: Passed the full Senate (37-2 vote)
3/7/23: Passed the House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee (8-0 vote)
3/9/23: Passed the House Appropriations & Finance Committee (12-0 vote)
3/14/23: Passed the full House of Representatives (49-20 vote)
3/23/23: Signed into law by the Governor! Goes into effect July 1, 2023.
SB 134: No Exotic Animals in Traveling Performances – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Sen. Roberto “Bobby” J. Gonzales
Status: 2/8/23: Tabled (died) by the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (4-3 vote)
SB 161: Restrict Use of Certain Pesticides – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Sen. Mimi Stewart & Sen. Bill O’Neill
Status: Died while awaiting action by the Senate Conservation Committee
SB 199: Livestock Larceny Separate Offenses – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Sen. Pat Woods & Sen. Crystal Diamond
Status: Died while awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee
SB 404: Veterinary Loan Repayment Act – Read the bill »
Sponsors: Sen. Crystal Diamond & Sen. Pat Woods
Status: 3/1/23: Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee (8-0 vote)
Died while awaiting action by the Senate Finance Committee
SB 429: Prohibit Dog Tethering – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Sen. Brenda McKenna
Status: 3/6/23: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (5-1 vote)
Died while awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee
SM 43: Pollinator Protection Plan – Read the bill »
Sponsor: Sen. Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales
Status: Died while awaiting action by the Senate Rules Committee
Anti-Animal Legislation
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