Representative Cristina Parajón, (HD 25), co-sponsor of SB 38, speaks to the crowd attending the 2026 Animal Protection Lobby Day
The 2026 New Mexico legislative session wrapped up at noon on Thursday February 19—and after a whirlwind of a session—we’re happy to report some significant long-term wins for animals. In total, 817 pieces of legislation were filed, 691 of those being bills, and the rest were memorials and resolutions. Considering the New Mexico Legislature typically passes roughly 70-75 bills in 30-day “short” legislative sessions, it’s all the more worth celebrating when an animal-related bill succeeds in a short session.
The Quest to Make Access to Affordable Spay/Neuter Permanent Law
Without question, the passage of Senate Bill 38, which removes the July 1, 2026 repeal date (or “sunset” provision) from New Mexico’s Affordable Spay/Neuter Law, marks one of the most significant victories for animals in recent years.
As readers might recall, New Mexico’s Affordable Spay/Neuter Law (passed as SB 57 in 2020) provides funding for low-cost spay/neuter programs through the collection of annual fees from large pet food companies. To date, the Law has collected more than $5 million to fund desperately needed spay/neuter services, particularly for rural, Tribal, and underserved communities.
After passing through the Senate within the first two weeks of session, SB 38 didn’t get to the House floor until February 18th. With just hours to go on that last full day of session, and millions upon millions of spay/neuter dollars hanging in the balance, SB 38 passed the House floor by an overwhelming majority of 53 to 11.
What does this mean for our state? It means reliable funding of nearly $1.5 million a year can continue flowing to spay/neuter providers in every corner of the state. It means less pressure on animal shelters and local governments dealing with the downstream effects of companion animal over-population. It means preventing the suffering and euthanasia of untold numbers of animals.
But the impact of passing SB 38 reaches beyond our state borders: while four other states have similar laws, New Mexico has been uniquely targeted by large corporations bent on undoing the Law from day one. For the states considering pet food fees to fund spay/neuter programs, this is more than just a policy win—it’s a ‘David and Goliath’ triumph where the underdog is winning the battle.
SB 38 now goes to Governor Lujan Grisham’s desk, where she has until March 11th to sign it into law and cement her legacy as a champion for the animals of our state.
Please help us thank key legislators who made this win possible.
This win would not have been possible but for the dedication of the following sponsors of SB 38. They truly deserve messages expressing our gratitude:
- Bill sponsor Sen. Majority Leader Peter Wirth – email
- Bill sponsor Rep. Cristina Parajón – email
- Bill sponsor Rep. Joanne Ferrary – email
Please also thank the sponsors of House Bill 51 (which was nearly identical to Senate Bill 38) for their commitment to saving the Affordable Spay/Neuter Law and for their yes votes on SB 38:
- Bill sponsor Rep. Jenifer Jones – email
- Bill sponsor Rep. Susan K. Herrera – email
- Bill sponsor Rep. D. Wonda Johnson – email
- Bill sponsor Rep. Kathleen Cates – email
Animal Protection Voters is deeply appreciative to each and every person for all the ways, big and small, they helped pass SB 38. Job well done!
Fair Removal Process for Wildlife Commissioners Accomplished….at last!
Another long-term gain made for the animals was the passage of Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (SD 25), Sen. Pete Campos (SD 8), Rep. Nathan Small (HD 36), Rep. Matthew McQueen (HD 50), and Sen. Crystal Brantley (SD 35). At last, the New Mexico Wildlife Commission has a fair, efficient process for removing commissioners for “incompetence, neglect of duty or malfeasance.” After sailing through the Senate on a unanimous 39-0 vote, SB 104 received another unanimous yes vote by the House Energy & Natural Resources Committee (6-0) before passing the House floor on Valetine’s Day with a vote of 69-0. How sweet!
Support for Domestic Violence Survivors With Companion Animals
In the run-up to the 2026 legislative session, our team was in constant motion—meeting with lawmakers and state officials explaining the link between animal abuse and domestic violence—and how the Companion Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) provides a bridge to safety for people fleeing domestic abuse with their animals. We have great news: our advocacy paid off! The New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department has confirmed that over $250,000 is earmarked to fund CARE services for FY 2027. While we are ecstatic with this outcome, we know the work must go on to secure increased, recurring funding to protect people and their animals through CARE services.
Bills That Failed to Make It To The Finish Line
A bill that would have benefitted abused and homeless equines (horses, donkeys and mules), but failed to pass this session, was House Bill 243. The bill would have created a trust fund to generate sustainable funding to care for owner-relinquished, stray, and cruelly treated equines. Alas, HB 243 failed to advance after getting a tie vote in the House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee. Likewise, House Bill 315, which laid out a framework for the humane management of free-roaming horses using science based methods, failed to get through the necessary steps to pass this session. While these outcomes were disappointing, Animal Protection Voters will not be deterred. We will continue the fight to improve protections for all of New Mexico’s equines.
What’s next?
We’ll be keeping close eye on the Governor’s office in anticipation of her signing SB 38 and other legislation. And stay tuned for the APV Scorecard where we let you know exactly how each legislator voted on animal bills in the 2026 session. Thank you for all the support you’ve shown—and please consider a gift to Animal Protection Voters so that we may continue winning for the animals.
