Since the adjournment of the 2024 session last February, Animal Protection Voters has been working diligently on several bills, including legislation focused on establishing long-term, sustained funding streams available for animal programs and projects across the state. Below is a preview of legislation that we hope to see introduced in the 2025 session.
Establishing an Animal Welfare Trust Fund
In 2024, House Bill 191 provided for the establishment of an Animal Welfare Trust Fund to generate earnings from investments that would flow to animal shelters for desperately needed resources such as equipment, supplies, and shelter operational support, as well as other governmental and nonprofit entities carrying out important animal welfare programs and services in communities. While the bill garnered widespread support and passed its first committee with a vote of 4-0, it died awaiting action by the House Appropriations & Finance Committee. Passing Animal Welfare Trust Fund legislation is an Animal Protection Voters legislative priority for 2025.
Establishing an Equine Welfare Trust Fund
New Mexico faces unique and growing challenges concerning equines, including keeping homeless and abused horses from entering the slaughter pipeline through safe placement with registered equine shelters and rescues. Currently, several nonprofits partner with the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) to care for impounded, surrendered, and abandoned equines. But appropriations for those efforts are sporadic. Establishing a trust fund is a responsible way to invest dollars today so that the NMLB and its nonprofit partners can meet New Mexico’s equine challenges going forward. The Equine Welfare Trust Fund is an Animal Protection Voters legislative priority for 2025.
Promoting the Humane Management of Free-Roaming Horses
New Mexico is home to countless free-roaming horses. While these horses are often cherished by communities, in some areas they lack food and water and face degraded habitat. In 2023, Senate Bill 301 would have improved the state law covering free-roaming horses. The bill passed the Senate but died in the House. In 2025, Animal Protection Voters supports bringing this legislation back so that the law covering free-roaming horses can fulfill the original goal of facilitating responsible and humane action to control population numbers and ensure that any horses removed from the landscape are not endangered or subject to cruelty. Improving the law protecting free-roaming horses is an Animal Protection Voters legislative priority for 2025.
Reforming and Modernizing the State Game Commission & Department
There is a deep need and widespread support for updating the New Mexico Game Commission and Department of Game & Fish. In particular, a diverse set of interests want to: create a nominating commission to select qualified Commission candidates for appointment by the Governor; update the Department of Game & Fish’s name, mission, and scope of authority; and increase certain hunting and fishing license fees to increase Department revenue. Reforming the State Game Commission and Department to better protect New Mexico’s wildlife and serve all New Mexicans is an Animal Protection Voters legislative priority for 2025.
Renaming the Family Violence Protection Act
New Mexico’s law against family violence should be updated to recognize animal abuse with the intent to harm or intimidate someone is a form of domestic violence. The law should allow companion animals to be included in protective orders. Both of these changes would better protect domestic violence survivors and their beloved animals by allowing them to swiftly escape abuse together. Animal Protection Voters is part of a coalition advocating for broad reforms to the Family Violence Protection Act. Updating the law to better protect people and their companion animals is an Animal Protection Voters legislative priority for 2025.
SAVE THE DATE FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION LOBBY DAY: February 27, 2025
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