February 16, 2019
Valentine’s Day marked the half-way point for New Mexico’s 2019 legislative session. At this juncture, every single one of our priority bills has passed at least one committee. But as you know, bills have to pass through both House and Senate committees and full chambers before they go to the Governor for her consideration. This means we all have a lot more work to do in the final 29 days of the session!
Here is where important animal-related bills are, and what happened in the past week:
Senate Bill (SB) 367: Pet Food Fee for Neutering & Sheltering: funding for statewide low-cost spay/neuter programs
SB 367 passed the Senate Public Affairs committee with a 5-1 vote earlier this week. Thank you to the many advocates from around New Mexico who came to support the bill in person. What’s more, today the New Mexico Association of Counties voted to support SB 367! This bill now awaits a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee in room 322. If your senator serves on this committee, please ask them to support this common-sense bill. See APV’s fact sheet on SB 367.
Senate Bill (SB) 76: Prohibit Coyote Killing Contests
SB 76 passed the Senate Conservation Committee earlier this week with a 6-3 vote. The bill now awaits a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee in room 321. If your senator serves on this committee, please ask them to support this important bill. See APV’s fact sheet on SB 76.
House Bill (HB) 366: Wildlife Protection & Public Safety Act: restricting traps, snares & poisons on NM’s public Lands
This bill awaits a hearing in its second committee, the House Judiciary Committee in room 309. Pro-trapping interests across the country are calling New Mexico’s legislators to oppose this bill—and it’s important to not let them drown out your voice. Please contact all 14 representatives on this committee and ask them to support HB 366. Here is APV’s fact sheet on HB 366.
House Bill (HB) 218: Equine Facility Purchase of Certain Horses: ensuring only humane disposition for equines in the custody of NM Livestock Board
Having already passed its first committee, this bill awaits a hearing in the House State Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee in room 305. If your representative serves on this committee, please contact them and let them know you support this sensible bill. See APV’s fact sheet for HB 218.
House Bill (HB) 52: Harm to Companion Animals as Domestic Abuse
HB 52 awaits a hearing in the Senate Public Affairs Committee, having already passed the NM House of Representatives. If your senator serves on this committee, please ask them to support this bill to protect allvictims of domestic violence.
House Bill (HB) 54: Killing Dogs That Kill Livestock or Poultry: ensuring a more nuanced and humane process for disposition of dogs who may interact with livestock
A committee substitute for HB 54 was proposed by APV, making sure it aligned with the current Dangerous Dogs law, and thereby providing more nuanced, common-sense approaches for animals who have a propensity for chasing and/or harming livestock, while also protecting, people, livestock, and communities. Unfortunately, the House Agriculture & Water Resources committee (HAWC) once again tabled the revised bill. We assume this bill will not be reconsidered again during this legislative session.
Senate Bill (SB) 158: Wild Horse Definitions & Disposition:
A committee substitute (a revised version) for SB 158 was introduced last week and passed the Senate Conservation committee with a vote of 8-1. APV recognizes that without changes to current law, free-roaming and wild horses remain at risk because of gaps in the animal cruelty and other statutes. In order to make sure wild and free-roaming horses cannot be harassed by private individuals or rounded up and sold for slaughter, APV is negotiating additional improvements to the bill before it can support it. APV is committed to ensuring only humane options for New Mexico’s free-roaming and wild horses. The bill next awaits a hearing in the Senate Judiciary committee.
During this “long session,” APV staff are monitoring many other bills to ensure New Mexico’s animals are protected by strong laws. To stay on top of all our activity, visit this one-stop source of information about bills that impact New Mexico’s animals: https://apvnm.org/legislation/
Finally, be sure you’re signed up for APV’s eAlerts to stay updated on how you can make sure your compassionate voice is being heard in Santa Fe.
Thank you for caring and making your important voice heard by your legislators. Onward for the animals!
With gratitude,
Elisabeth (Lisa) Jennings
Executive Director, APV
