January 19, 2021
Today at noon, the New Mexico State Legislature convened for the 2021 state legislative session—and it’s shaping up to be one unlike any other in history. As always, we will do our best to keep you updated on crucial animal-related legislation throughout the session, including through regular blog posts. Thank you in advance for your commitment to fighting alongside us for the protection of New Mexico’s animals!
Because of health concerns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public (including lobbyists) are not allowed in the capitol building. The legislators themselves will take up most committee work remotely using Zoom meeting software, and any in-person activity on the House and Senate floors is being conducted with legislators and staff wearing masks and divided by plexiglass panels. All in all, the virtual format will make it especially challenging to pass any legislation, including bills for animal protection.
Nonetheless, Animal Protection Voters and our TrapFree New Mexico coalition allies are charging ahead and pushing for the Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act, also called Roxy’s Law in honor of the sweet senior cattle dog who died in a neck snare on public land in winter 2018. Roxy has served as a stark reminder of the danger and suffering inflicted by traps, snares, and poisons across all the public lands where these devices remain legal.
This year, Senator Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales (D-Ranchos De Taos) is at the helm as the lead bill sponsor—he pre-filed the bill last week, and this afternoon Roxy’s Law was officially introduced in the State Senate, assigned a Senate bill number (Senate Bill 32), and referred to the Senate Conservation Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Set to cosponsor or sign-on in support of the bill include Senator Brenda McKenna (D-Corrales), Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), Representative Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo), and Representative Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos).
But the bill’s first day didn’t end there. Before the Senate adjourned from its afternoon session, there was an attempt by Senator Cliff Pirtle (R-Roswell) to pull the bill out of Senate Conservation Committee and instead refer it to the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, arguing (incorrectly) that the bill only impacts rural interests like cattle and sheep ranching. However, Sen. Bobby Gonzales, as well as Senate Conservation Committee Chair Liz Stefanics (D-Cerrillos) and Senate Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe), fought that effort strongly, and the vote to alter the committee referrals failed by a 14-27 party-line vote. With that settled, the bill can now move through the process: The first stop is the Senate Conservation Committee, and we await news of the bill being scheduled for a hearing, probably sometime in the next two weeks.
There are other pieces of legislation still in the works, or already introduced, which will impact animals, so please stay tuned to our email alerts, blogs, social media, and other digital outlets during this highly unusual session.
In addition, because we cannot be inside the Capitol building, our normal Animal Protection Lobby Day cannot go as planned—but we are working hard to implement other opportunities to keep you updated and engaged in the legislative process. Two items to mark in your calendars are: (1) Thursday February 25, Animal Protection Voters will feature in Animal Protection of New Mexico’s “Virtual Town Hall,” providing an update on the legislative session at its halfway mark and our assessment of the outlook for animal protection bills; and (2) As early as next week, opportunities to join us every Wednesday evening for phone-banking events where you can pitch in by calling and activating other grassroots advocates, and get the latest news from us on the progress of Roxy’s Law. Keep an eye on your email inbox for more details about these events as they develop (if you’re not receiving our emails, sign up here), and we hope to “see” you there!
Finally, there are two things that are not different this session: our commitment to do everything we can to pass strong laws for animals, and your determination to support our work in every way you can. Thank you for being there with us at every turn!
With deep gratitude,
Jessica Johnson
Chief Government Affairs Officer
