SANTA FE — The 2019 New Mexico legislative session that wrapped up on Saturday saw many wildlife-related measures pass both houses and move on to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her consideration.
New Mexico Wildlife Federation Executive Director Jesse Deubel and NMWF Board Chairman John Crenshaw testified on several bills in legislative committees during the session. The federation’s lobbyist John Thompson worked to advance the federation’s position on all wildlife-related bills.
Among the bills that passed is the creation of a new Outdoor Recreation Division within the Department of Economic Development. Senate Bill 462 was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, and others.
The NMWF supported creating the outdoor recreation office on the grounds that the outdoor recreation is an increasingly important aspect of the state’s economy.
“The New Mexico Wildlife Federation is pleased to see lawmakers from around the state recognize the growing importance of outdoor recreation,” said Deubel, the federation’s executive director. “The federation looks forward to seeing the division succeed in bringing more attention to this critical element of the state’s economy while recognizing the importance of preserving the state’s wildlife.”
A recent study found that outdoor recreation puts nearly $10 billion a year into New Mexico’s economy. Communities around the state are working to capitalize on the demand for outdoor recreational opportunities including hunting and wildlife viewing.
Another bill that passed both houses this legislative session was the Wildlife Corridors Act, SB228, sponsored by Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque.
The corridors bill, which the NMWF supported, calls for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico Department of Transportation to identify areas around the state where wildlife crossing highways poses a risk to motorists. The bill directs the departments to take steps to reduce the dangers.
The Legislature passed a bill to ban coyote killing contests. Steinborn and Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque, sponsored the bill, SB76.
The push in the Legislature to outlaw coyote killing contests follows action earlier this year by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard outlawing such contests on state lands.
The New Mexico Wildlife Federation supported the ban on holding coyote-killing contests. The federation’s board of directors this year adopted a resolution specifying that such contests, when they involve cash prizes, violate a provision of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation that prohibits commercialization of wildlife.
The NMWF resolution specified that the organization does not oppose killing coyotes outside of contests that offer cash or cash equivalent prizes.
A bill to outlaw trapping on public lands, HB366, in the state failed to pass. The NMWF opposed the bill. Federation officials testified in committee hearings against it, saying that the state game commission would be the proper entity to regulate trapping.
A bill to reform the State Game Commission also failed to pass. The bill, HB263, was sponsored by Rep. Matt McQueen, D-Santa Fe. It would have specified that game commission members could be removed only for cause and would have allowed state lawmakers to appoint some commissioners, as opposed to the current system of having the governor appoint all of them.
The NMWF had supported the commission reform bill on the grounds that it would ensure the independence of the commission.
Despite protests from the NMWF, the state budget bill passed by the Legislature includes a transfer of $500,000 from the state’s Game Protection Fund for programs at the state parks division. The NMWF has encouraged the governor to veto that provision.
A bill to increase game and fish license fees for the first time in more than a decade failed to pass. Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, sponsored the bill, SB382. The NMWF had supported the bill.
A bill that Campos sponsored to allow the state game department to withhold release of information that would pinpoint the location of animals wearing tracking collars passed the Legislature. The NMWF supported the bill, SB383, which will allow the state game commission to specify what constitutes fair chase of wild game.
