While multiple pro-animal bills have passed through their first and second committee hearings—most have not yet crossed from one chamber to the other—and there are only three weeks left for that to happen.
We’ve plenty news to share on the progress of animal protection bills, including APV’s legislative priorities. And though it hardly seems possible, the pace and intensity of the work will only increase in the days leading up to the final day of the session, March 22nd.
But before we go on, we want to take a moment to acknowledge the work you’ve done to get key animal protection bills to this point. By meeting with, writing letters to, emailing and calling your legislators to advocate for animal protection laws, you’ve helped ensure key animal protection measures would be heard and funded. Your continued engagement will be even more critical as the clock counts down to Sine Die.
House Bill 111—Known as “Ivy’s Law”—Expanding Protections for Qualified Service Animals During Emergencies Heads to the Senate
A lot has happened since we last reported on House Bill 111, sponsored by Rep. Marian Matthews (HD 27), Rep. Meredith Dixon (HD 20), Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (HD 15) and Rep. Eleanor Chávez (HD 26). The bill, inspired by the loss of a dearly loved service dog named Ivy, requires first responders who have been notified that a qualified service animal has gone missing during an emergency make to reasonable efforts to locate the animal.
We’re happy to share that on February 18th, HB 111 passed the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs Committee with a unanimous vote of vote of 9-0. Then, on February 27th, HB 111 passed the House with a vote of 59-8. Next, HB 111 will be referred to the Senate, where we hope to see it set for a committee hearing soon.
Critically Needed Funding for New Mexico’s Animal Care and Services Infrastructure Secured via House Bill 113 – The Animal Welfare Program and Trust Fund
As you most likely recall, House Bill 113—sponsored by Rep. Tara Lujan (HD 48), Rep. Reena Szczepanski (HD 47), Rep. Joseph Sanchez (HD 40), Rep. Cynthia Borrego (HD 17), Sen. Joseph Cervantes (SD 31), and cosponsored by Rep. Anita Gonzales (HD 70) and Rep. Michelle Abeyta (HD 69)—as originally conceived, would create an investment fund to generate sustainable funding to bolster animal care and animal control services across the state. Earnings from the trust fund would flow to the Department of Finance & Administration (DFA) into a newly created Animal Welfare Program Fund, which DFA would disburse as contracts or grant awards to eligible applicants. Applicants could use the grant money to cover a wide array of animal care needs, including shelter renovations, purchase of equipment and supplies, training for animal control personnel, and providing animal welfare education to communities.
We’re excited to report a powerful appropriation of $7 million dollars has been earmarked for HB 113 in the legislative budget! And as often happens at the Roundhouse, discussions around the most impactful way expend program funds deepen as the bill comes under the scrutiny of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. At the time of writing this update, HB 113 is still waiting for a hearing before the committee.
While we can’t predict whether the bill will stay in its current form or be amended before it leaves HAFC, we can celebrate the $7 million dollar appropriation currently in the state budget as a huge win for animals and communities desperately in need of animal care and control resources. We will continue to advocate for the retention of that appropriation.
Dental Equine Bill Deemed Dangerous to Animals and Owners Advances in the Senate
On February 22nd, the Senate Conservation Committee heard Senate Bill 412, the Equine Dental Maintenance bill, sponsored by Sen. Candy Ezzell (SD 32). Innocuously named, the bill, if passed, would remove equine dentistry from the Veterinary Practice Act. This means non-veterinarians would be allowed to perform dental procedures that require specialized training—and in many cases, medication and sedation—without the oversight of the NM Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Animal Protection Voters, along with veterinarians and equine advocates, concerned SB 412 would result in harm to equines and their caretakers, were prepared to speak in opposition to the bill during the hearing. However, the committee declined to hear testimony in opposition to SB 412, and instead moved to vote on the measure without information about the damage this bill could do. SB 412 passed unanimously 8-0 out of the Senate Conservation Committee and is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Bill to Modernize New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Stabilize the Game Commission Passes Senate Finance Committee After Heated Debate
On February 26th, the Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Sen. Pete Campos (SD 8), Sen. Peter Wirth (SD 25), Sen. Crystal Brantley (SD 35), Rep. Matthew McQueen (HD 50), and Rep. Nathan Small (HD 36). SB 5 gives the Department authority to protect all wildlife in New Mexico, includes modest hunting and fishing license fee increases, and will bring much needed expertise and stability to the Game Commission, which oversees the Department.
After extensive testimony and debate on amendments to increase certain hunting licenses for out of state residents, SB 5 passed out of the Senate Finance Committee with a very strong 9-1 bipartisan vote.
Rep. Small, who serves as Chair of the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, is credited with ensuring SB 5 would be coupled with adequate funding for expanded wildlife conservation by ensuring a $10.5 million appropriation would be included in the budget. That sum will go towards protecting New Mexico’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), which are species with populations in decline or at risk of losing habitat. This is a major achievement, since the Department rarely receives money from the legislature due to its budget being funded primarily through hunting and fishing license fees. SB 5 now heads to the full Senate for a floor vote.
A Stronger Safety Net for New Mexico’s Abused and Abandoned Equines Is One Step Closer
Senate Bill 358, the Equine Welfare Trust Fund, sponsored by Sen. Carrie Hamblen (SD 38), aims to create an investment fund to generate sustainable funding to help cover the cost of care for homeless and abused equines taken in by nonprofit equine shelters. These organizations provide vital community services, stepping in to provide humane placement for horses, donkeys, and mules in need—including those who are seized by the New Mexico Livestock Board and law enforcement. Without these shelters serving as a safety net, there would likely be even more equines who are abandoned, neglected and abused, and sold to slaughter. But the lack of reliable funding to meet the demands placed on these organizations threatens their ability serve the communities and the animals in their care.
The Senate Conservation Committee heard the bill on February 20th, where equine shelters were able to give public testimony on the immense value of their work to the state. However, issues raised about certain provisions of the bill led to the opportunity for Sen. Hamblen and proponents to collaborate to find workable solutions.
On February 27th, the Committee held another hearing and adopted a substitute bill that addressed all of the previously raised issues. Although a minority of the committee members expressed disagreement with the notion that the state should invest in equine sheltering in exchange for the services it receives, the majority of the committee members voted to support SB 358. The bill passed by a 4 to 3 vote, and it will next go to the Senate Finance Committee.
With only three weeks to go, the “long” 2025 legislative session will only get busier as we continue pushing to get critical animal protection bills over the finish line. Stay with us and keep up to date by checking APV’s Legislative Session Tracker for updates on bills, hearings, votes and more: https://apvnm.org/legislation/
