2022 State Animal Protection Legislation
Recurring State Appropriation for the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund
Animal Protection Voters is advocating for the State Legislature to establish a recurring appropriation (annual funding) for the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund (ESRF)—which provides a critical, reliable support for the ten (10) state-licensed equine shelters/rescues who provide a very important service to the state, despite no regular government funding and huge challenges caused by the pandemic and persistent drought/expensive feed. We have reached out to and received positive feedback and interest from multiple Senators and Representatives in committing funding to the ESRF through the state’s “junior budget bill” (special appropriations that can be allocated by individual legislators).
Updates:
- CURRENT STATUS: Unfortunately, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham vetoed Senate Bill 48—and the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund recurring funding died along with it. For more information regarding the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund and the Governor’s veto of SB 48, please see our latest blog post: https://apvnm.org/governors-veto-yanks-a-lifeline-away-from-new-mexicos-homeless-horses/
House Bill 56 (HB 56): Temporary Veterinary Permits
This bill extends the length (from sixty days to six months) of temporary veterinary medicine permits for out-of-state vets contracted by state or local government to provide services at a nationally accredited zoo or aquarium. Read HB 56 »
Updates:
- 2/2/22: Passed the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee (5-0 vote)
- 2/4/22: Passed the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee (9-0 vote)
- 2/8/22: Passed the full House of Representatives (63-0 vote)
- 2/14/22: Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee (6-0 vote)
- 2/15/22 Passed the Senate (35-0)
- CURRENT STATUS: Signed into law by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
House Memorial 24 (HM 24): Develop Plan to Save Adoptable Dogs and Cats
This memorial directs New Mexico county managers, in collaboration with animal shelters and welfare organizations, to establish a taskforce to develop a comprehensive plan with the goal of saving the lives of all healthy, adoptable shelter dogs and cats by 2025. Read HM 24 »
Updates:
- 2/2/22: Passed the House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee (5-0)
- 2/17/22: Passed the full House of Representatives (65-0)
- CURRENT STATUS: Copies of the memorial will be transmitted to the managers of New Mexico’s thirty-three counties and animal shelter offices in New Mexico.
Senate Joint Memorial 2 (SJM 2): National Biodiversity Strategy
This joint memorial calls on the Federal government to establish a national biodiversity strategy for the protection of wildlife and the environment. Read SJM 2 »
Updates:
- 1/28/22: Passed the Senate Rules Committee (7-0 vote)
- 2/3/22: Senate Conservation Committee (7-2 vote)
- CURRENT STATUS: Died awaiting a vote on the Senate floor
Anti-Animal Legislation
House Memorial 49 (HM 49): Livestock Protection from Wolves
Overstating the incidence of livestock depredation by wolves, this memorial calls on the NM Department of Game & Fish to deviate from its core mission and “study how to create greater protections for livestock and address economic losses [by ranchers] caused by the reintroduction of the Mexican wolf,” the most gravely endangered subspecies of wolf in North America. Read HM 49 »
Updates:
- CURRENT STATUS: Died awaiting a hearing in the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee
Looking for legislation from years past? View our bill archive.
