February 17, 2022
The 2022 New Mexico legislative session wrapped up today at noon. Nothing short of a whirlwind, this year’s session saw the introduction of hundreds of pieces of legislation, some of which would impact animals in New Mexico and beyond. On the whole, there was wide cross-party support for animal-friendly legislation—although, given the time constraints of the 30-day “short session,” most bills did not make it through the entire legislative process.
2022 State Legislative Session Summary
One bill that crossed the finish line is the well-received House Bill 56 (HB 56), sponsored by Rep. Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Phelps Anderson (DTS-Roswell), Rep. Kelly Fajardo (R-Los Lunas), and Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque). HB 56 extends the length (from sixty days to six months) of temporary permits for out-of-state veterinarians who are contracted by governments to provide veterinary medicine services at a nationally accredited zoo or aquarium. Animal Protection Voters stood in support of this bill, recognizing that this bill gives captive wildlife in nationally accredited facilities better access to longer-term, out-of-state veterinary care, benefiting the welfare of those animals.
We were thrilled to see that this issue also inspired comments on both the House and Senate floor about the need to expand access to veterinary care across the state, including spay/neuter services. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired thousands across the country to adopt dogs and cats into their families, but the pandemic also hampered and overwhelmed many veterinary clinics and sidelined spay/neuter efforts. This is an issue deserving of further attention.
Ultimately, HB 56 passed both chambers unanimously, and now Governor Lujan Grisham has until March 9thto sign this bill into law. You can contact the Governor to express your support by calling her office: (505) 476-2200 or emailing her here.
With less than an hour to go in the legislative session, the House of Representatives also unanimously approved House Memorial 24 (HM 24), sponsored by Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon (D-Milan). HM 24 directs New Mexico county managers, in collaboration with animal shelters and welfare organizations, to establish a task force to develop a comprehensive plan with the goal of saving the lives of all healthy, adoptable shelter dogs and cats by 2025. We are delighted the House of Representatives recognizes the tragedy of companion animal overpopulation and resulting euthanasia. The memorial does not require the Governor’s signature and sends a strong message. New Mexico’s animal shelters have made great strides in reducing euthanasia rates and, with the establishment of a comprehensive statewide plan with leadership from every county involved, those rates could decline even further.
Another pro-animal memorial that received bipartisan support, but ultimately failed to advance, was Senate Joint Memorial 2 (SJM 2). SJM 2, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), requested that the federal government establish a national biodiversity strategy with the support of Congress, federal agencies, and state, local and tribal governments, and urged actions to protect species and habitats and help stop the loss of biodiversity. The memorial unanimously passed the Senate Rules Committee and passed Senate Conservation Committee by a 7-2 vote. Unfortunately, time ran out before SJM 2 could be voted on by the full Senate.
Unfortunately, a measure meant to undermine the recovery of critically endangered species was introduced in the form of House Memorial 49 (HM 49), sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Dow (R-Truth or Consequences) and Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena). HM 49 asked the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish to disregard its important duty to protect the nearly extinct Mexican wolf, and instead cater to the ranching industry and pursue ways to give financial rewards to ranchers whose animals occupy wolf habitat. Not only is this request far afield from the mission of our state’s wildlife conservation agency, but it also dramatically overstates the rates of wolf predation on livestock and ignores the many strategies to reduce and prevent wildlife-livestock conflicts. HM 49 was referred to the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee and, fortunately, was never scheduled for a hearing.
What’s Next?
The 2022 Legislative session might be in the rear view, but our work for the animals never stops. We await the Governor’s action on bills on her desk, and we hope to have more good news to share in a couple of weeks. We are already gearing up for the upcoming elections and future legislation—and we will be asking for your support, action, and engagement once again!
Humane laws are only possible because of humane lawmakers and, in 2022, we have another opportunity to ensure New Mexico’s leaders share our humane values. With the Primary Election on June 7th and the General Election on Nov 8th, APV will support and endorse animal-friendly policymakers around the state. Supporting Animal Protection Voters-endorsed candidates on Election Day is a powerful way to stand up for animals and make important, powerful changes. Be on the lookout for APV’s annual Scorecard and our Voter Guides to help inform your vote.
The 2023 Legislative Session will take place January 17th through March 18th, 2023, and Animal Protection Voters staff have been hard at work preparing meaningful legislation to ensure our state is safer for all kinds of vulnerable animals. Expect to hear more about the important topics—everything from protecting families and animals in domestic violence crises, to outlawing bestiality, to protecting wild horses, and more—and what you can do to help. Ready to take a first step? Please sign our petition in support of legislation to get egg-laying hens out of cruel cages.
This work would not happen without you, and we thank you for helping create positive, lasting change for New Mexico’s animals! We look forward to working with you in the months to come!
