Death Blow To New Mexico

Senate bill 5


Edited by adc for clarity

What do New Mexican sportsmen want? Is this it?

Introduced by Pete Campos and Matthew McQueen
- An act related to the State Game Commission
- Reforming the appointment process for commissioners
- Setting term limits for commissioners
- Adding requirements for appointment and removal of commissioners
- Creating the State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee
- Renaming the Department of Game and Fish as the Department of Wildlife
- Renaming the State Game Commission as the State Wildlife Commission
- Amending statutory policy
- Expanding wildlife management
- Adding definitions
- Providing reporting requirements
- Amending licensing fees
- Adjusting fees for inflation
- Providing discounts for residents receiving SNAP benefits
- Repealing Section 17-2-2 NMSA 1978
- Declaration of Policy: Conservation and management of wildlife as a public trust resource
- Definitions for the purposes of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978
- State Wildlife Commission, Department of Wildlife, and wildlife terminology
- State Wildlife Commission composition and appointment
- Seven voting members with specific qualifications
- Terms of office established at six years
- Limit of two terms after January 1, 2027
- Removal procedures for commissioners with due process
- Advisory, nonvoting members also included in the commission
- Establishment of the State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee
- Composition and responsibilities outlined
- Duties include soliciting applications and submitting nominees to the governor
- Rulemaking power of the commission to establish necessary regulations
- Wildlife management authority extended to any species
- Definition of species of greatest conservation need and annual publication of data
- Licensing fees adjustments and provisions for residents on SNAP
- Temporary provisions for name changes and transfers of functions
- Department of Game and Fish is renamed to Department of Wildlife
- State Game Commission is renamed to State Wildlife Commission
- Transition of resources and personnel on July 1, 2026
- Initial appointment provisions for the new Wildlife Commission
- Effective dates outlined for various sections of the act

easier to read
**SENATE BILL 557**
**TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025**

**INTRODUCED BY**
**Pete Campos and Matthew McQueen**

---

**AN ACT**

RELATING TO THE STATE GAME COMMISSION;

REFORMING THE STATE GAME COMMISSION APPOINTMENT PROCESS;

SETTING TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSIONERS;

ADDING REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONERS;

CREATING THE STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE;

RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

RENAMING THE STATE GAME COMMISSION AS THE STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

AMENDING STATUTORY POLICY;

EXPANDING THE MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE;

ADDING DEFINITIONS;

PROVIDING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS;

AMENDING LICENSING FEES;

PROVIDING FOR FEE ADJUSTMENTS TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION;

PROVIDING DISCOUNTS FOR RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS;

PROVIDING TRANSFERS;

REPEALING SECTION 17-2-2 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1937, CHAPTER 23, SECTION 1).

---

**BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:**

---

**SECTION 1.**

Section 17-1-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1921, Chapter 35, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-1. DECLARATION OF POLICY.**
It is the purpose of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and the policy of the STATE OF NEW MEXICO to provide for the CONSERVATION and MANAGEMENT of the state's WILDLIFE as a PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCE with ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC and INTRINSIC VALUE, as well as for the BENEFIT, USE, FOOD SUPPLY and NONCONSUMPTIVE ENJOYMENT of all."

---

**SECTION 2.**

Section 17-2A-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1996, Chapter 89, Section 3) is recompiled as Section 17-1-1.1 NMSA 1978 and is amended to read:

**"17-1-1.1. DEFINITIONS.**
For the purposes of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978:

A. "COMMISSION" or "STATE GAME COMMISSION" means the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

B. "DEPARTMENT" or "DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH" means the DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

C. "DIRECTOR", "WARDEN", "STATE WARDEN", "STATE GAME WARDEN" means the DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

D. "HUNT CODE" means a DESCRIPTION USED TO IDENTIFY and DEFINE the SPECIES, WEAPON TYPE AND TIME FRAME AUTHORIZED for a specific HUNT;

E. "OUTFITTER" or "GUIDE" means a person who provides HUNTING SERVICES;

F. "UNIT" means a GEOGRAPHICALLY BOUND AREA in the state used to MANAGE GAME SPECIES."

---

**SECTION 3.**

Section 17-1-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1921, Chapter 35, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-2. STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION--APPOINTMENT--TERM.**

A. To carry out the purpose of Chapter 17, there is created a "STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION" of SEVEN VOTING MEMBERS.

The members of the commission shall be appointed by the GOVERNOR with the advice and consent of the SENATE.

---

B. Three at-large members of the commission shall hold positions one, two and three.

C. Four members of the commission shall hold positions four, five, six and seven, each representing a different DISTRICT.

---

D. A commissioner shall serve for no more than TWO TERMS after January 1, 2027.

E. When a commissioner dies, resigns, or fails to meet the qualifications, the position becomes VACANT.

F. A commissioner shall not be REMOVED except for INCOMPETENCE, NEGLECT, or MALFEASANCE after a HEARING.

---

**SECTION 4.**

A new Section 17-1-2.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

**"17-1-2.1. STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE.**

A. The "STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE" is created and consists of SEVEN MEMBERS, all of whom shall be NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS.

B. Committee members shall serve without COMPENSATION but may be reimbursed for EXPENSES.

C. The committee shall select one member to be CHAIR and one member to be SECRETARY.

---

**SECTION 5.**

Section 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1931, Chapter 117, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-26. RULEMAKING POWER.**

A. The STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION is AUTHORIZED to make RULES as deemed necessary.

B. The rules may include, when and where WILDLIFE may be HUNTED or taken."

---

**SECTION 6.**

A new section of the Wildlife Conservation Act is enacted to read:

**"WILDLIFE TO BE PROTECTED--MANAGEMENT.**

A. The commission is AUTHORIZED to extend MANAGEMENT and PROTECTION to any SPECIES of WILDLIFE."

---

**SECTION 7.**

A new section of the Wildlife Conservation Act is enacted to read:

**"SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED--DEFINITION--DATA COLLECTION.**

A. "SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED" means species identified by the department.

B. The department shall PUBLISH DATA on these species annually."

---

**SECTION 8.**

Section 17-2-38 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974, Chapter 83, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"DEFINITIONS.**

A. "COMMISSION" means the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

B. "DIRECTOR" means the DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

C. "ENDANGERED SPECIES" means any species whose prospects of survival are in JEOPARDY."

---

**SECTION 9.**

Section 17-3-13 NMSA 1978 is amended to read:

**"LICENSE FEES--FEE ADJUSTMENTS.**

A. The director shall KEEP A RECORD of all money received for LICENSES.

B. The STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION may ADJUST FEES for INFLATION."

---

**SECTION 10.**

**TEMPORARY PROVISION--NAME CHANGE.**

A. The DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH is renamed as the **DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE**.

B. The STATE GAME COMMISSION is renamed as the **STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION**.

---

**SECTION 11.**

**TEMPORARY PROVISION--INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.**

The initial appointments to the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION shall replace the members of the commission.

---

**SECTION 12.**

**REPEAL.**
Section 17-2-2 NMSA 1978 is REPEALED.

---

**SECTION 13.**

**EFFECTIVE DATE.**

A. The effective date of certain provisions is July 1, 2026.

B. The effective date of other provisions is January 1, 2027.

C. The effective date of remaining provisions is April 1, 2026.

Could someone please explain all that in hunter, trapper and fisherman language. It made my head hurt.

cliff notes needed..

Agreed 👍

The thread title is the cliff notes.

Way too long to read. Please sum it up in a few sentences.

"I'm Offended! "

Is there a version of that in paragraph form? That is next to impossible to read and comprehend at the same time.

LOL ....I can't understand it

I copied into an AI app.

bullet points - Senate Bill 557 - 2025 First Session, New Mexico Legislature
- Introduced by Pete Campos and Matthew McQueen
- An act related to the State Game Commission
- Reforming the appointment process for commissioners
- Setting term limits for commissioners
- Adding requirements for appointment and removal of commissioners
- Creating the State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee
- Renaming the Department of Game and Fish as the Department of Wildlife
- Renaming the State Game Commission as the State Wildlife Commission
- Amending statutory policy
- Expanding wildlife management
- Adding definitions
- Providing reporting requirements
- Amending licensing fees
- Adjusting fees for inflation
- Providing discounts for residents receiving SNAP benefits
- Repealing Section 17-2-2 NMSA 1978
- Declaration of Policy: Conservation and management of wildlife as a public trust resource
- Definitions for the purposes of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978
- State Wildlife Commission, Department of Wildlife, and wildlife terminology
- State Wildlife Commission composition and appointment
- Seven voting members with specific qualifications
- Terms of office established at six years
- Limit of two terms after January 1, 2027
- Removal procedures for commissioners with due process
- Advisory, nonvoting members also included in the commission
- Establishment of the State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee
- Composition and responsibilities outlined
- Duties include soliciting applications and submitting nominees to the governor
- Rulemaking power of the commission to establish necessary regulations
- Wildlife management authority extended to any species
- Definition of species of greatest conservation need and annual publication of data
- Licensing fees adjustments and provisions for residents on SNAP
- Temporary provisions for name changes and transfers of functions
- Department of Game and Fish is renamed to Department of Wildlife
- State Game Commission is renamed to State Wildlife Commission
- Transition of resources and personnel on July 1, 2026
- Initial appointment provisions for the new Wildlife Commission
- Effective dates outlined for various sections of the act

easier to read
**SENATE BILL 557**
**TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2025**

**INTRODUCED BY**
**Pete Campos and Matthew McQueen**

---

**AN ACT**

RELATING TO THE STATE GAME COMMISSION;

REFORMING THE STATE GAME COMMISSION APPOINTMENT PROCESS;

SETTING TERM LIMITS FOR COMMISSIONERS;

ADDING REQUIREMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF COMMISSIONERS;

CREATING THE STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE;

RENAMING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

RENAMING THE STATE GAME COMMISSION AS THE STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

AMENDING STATUTORY POLICY;

EXPANDING THE MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE;

ADDING DEFINITIONS;

PROVIDING REPORTING REQUIREMENTS;

AMENDING LICENSING FEES;

PROVIDING FOR FEE ADJUSTMENTS TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION;

PROVIDING DISCOUNTS FOR RESIDENTS WHO RECEIVE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS;

PROVIDING TRANSFERS;

REPEALING SECTION 17-2-2 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1937, CHAPTER 23, SECTION 1).

---

**BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:**

---

**SECTION 1.**

Section 17-1-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1921, Chapter 35, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-1. DECLARATION OF POLICY.**
It is the purpose of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and the policy of the STATE OF NEW MEXICO to provide for the CONSERVATION and MANAGEMENT of the state's WILDLIFE as a PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCE with ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC and INTRINSIC VALUE, as well as for the BENEFIT, USE, FOOD SUPPLY and NONCONSUMPTIVE ENJOYMENT of all."

---

**SECTION 2.**

Section 17-2A-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1996, Chapter 89, Section 3) is recompiled as Section 17-1-1.1 NMSA 1978 and is amended to read:

**"17-1-1.1. DEFINITIONS.**
For the purposes of Chapter 17 NMSA 1978:

A. "COMMISSION" or "STATE GAME COMMISSION" means the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

B. "DEPARTMENT" or "DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH" means the DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

C. "DIRECTOR", "WARDEN", "STATE WARDEN", "STATE GAME WARDEN" means the DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

D. "HUNT CODE" means a DESCRIPTION USED TO IDENTIFY and DEFINE the SPECIES, WEAPON TYPE AND TIME FRAME AUTHORIZED for a specific HUNT;

E. "OUTFITTER" or "GUIDE" means a person who provides HUNTING SERVICES;

F. "UNIT" means a GEOGRAPHICALLY BOUND AREA in the state used to MANAGE GAME SPECIES."

---

**SECTION 3.**

Section 17-1-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1921, Chapter 35, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-2. STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION--APPOINTMENT--TERM.**

A. To carry out the purpose of Chapter 17, there is created a "STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION" of SEVEN VOTING MEMBERS.

The members of the commission shall be appointed by the GOVERNOR with the advice and consent of the SENATE.

---

B. Three at-large members of the commission shall hold positions one, two and three.

C. Four members of the commission shall hold positions four, five, six and seven, each representing a different DISTRICT.

---

D. A commissioner shall serve for no more than TWO TERMS after January 1, 2027.

E. When a commissioner dies, resigns, or fails to meet the qualifications, the position becomes VACANT.

F. A commissioner shall not be REMOVED except for INCOMPETENCE, NEGLECT, or MALFEASANCE after a HEARING.

---

**SECTION 4.**

A new Section 17-1-2.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

**"17-1-2.1. STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE.**

A. The "STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION NOMINATING COMMITTEE" is created and consists of SEVEN MEMBERS, all of whom shall be NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS.

B. Committee members shall serve without COMPENSATION but may be reimbursed for EXPENSES.

C. The committee shall select one member to be CHAIR and one member to be SECRETARY.

---

**SECTION 5.**

Section 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1931, Chapter 117, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"17-1-26. RULEMAKING POWER.**

A. The STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION is AUTHORIZED to make RULES as deemed necessary.

B. The rules may include, when and where WILDLIFE may be HUNTED or taken."

---

**SECTION 6.**

A new section of the Wildlife Conservation Act is enacted to read:

**"WILDLIFE TO BE PROTECTED--MANAGEMENT.**

A. The commission is AUTHORIZED to extend MANAGEMENT and PROTECTION to any SPECIES of WILDLIFE."

---

**SECTION 7.**

A new section of the Wildlife Conservation Act is enacted to read:

**"SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED--DEFINITION--DATA COLLECTION.**

A. "SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED" means species identified by the department.

B. The department shall PUBLISH DATA on these species annually."

---

**SECTION 8.**

Section 17-2-38 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1974, Chapter 83, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

**"DEFINITIONS.**

A. "COMMISSION" means the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION;

B. "DIRECTOR" means the DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE;

C. "ENDANGERED SPECIES" means any species whose prospects of survival are in JEOPARDY."

---

**SECTION 9.**

Section 17-3-13 NMSA 1978 is amended to read:

**"LICENSE FEES--FEE ADJUSTMENTS.**

A. The director shall KEEP A RECORD of all money received for LICENSES.

B. The STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION may ADJUST FEES for INFLATION."

---

**SECTION 10.**

**TEMPORARY PROVISION--NAME CHANGE.**

A. The DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH is renamed as the **DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE**.

B. The STATE GAME COMMISSION is renamed as the **STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION**.

---

**SECTION 11.**

**TEMPORARY PROVISION--INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.**

The initial appointments to the STATE WILDLIFE COMMISSION shall replace the members of the commission.

---

**SECTION 12.**

**REPEAL.**
Section 17-2-2 NMSA 1978 is REPEALED.

---

**SECTION 13.**

**EFFECTIVE DATE.**

A. The effective date of certain provisions is July 1, 2026.

B. The effective date of other provisions is January 1, 2027.

C. The effective date of remaining provisions is April 1, 2026.

---

Thank y9u for that adc

I'm sure all lawmakers know what they are signing. Kinda like "water boarding", lol.

Sounds like a bunch of nothing

can someone highlight the death blow

I think bunny huggers are trying to move in on wildlife management in New Mexico?

Could someone give me the definition of what the word "is" is just one more time please.

Exactly

I made bold some of the parts that will be terrible for trappers. Basically starting a new commission selected by the liberal governor/state senate who are in charge of making all the rules related to trapping and hunting.

Anything with McQueens name on it is poison to the wildlife and those of us who care about it. This bill will destroy the Game&Fish, turn it into something I fled from, increase license fees, make the wildlife dept. responsible for animals that don't need managment.

Puts the department as a agency over all vertabrates in NM

Removes the voice of sportsmen on rule changes via apointed commissioners apointed by the state legislature

Basicly this removes consumptive use of wildlife policy fron the department to the animal rights groups

The antis will control the funding and wildlife management in the state

...

It appears that New Mexico is headed in the same direction as Colorado. A Wildlife Commission with no hunters, land owners, outfitters, and a bunch of Vegans and AR's, that take their orders from our Fairy Queen. This is a nationwide movement , to end the North American Model of Wildlife Management. This may lose the state Pittman Robertson funds.

Bingo

I thought the death blow was a couple of years ago when they outlawed trapping on public land.

Wasn't there also a massive license fee increase for basically everything there too?

This guarentees it never cones back

Yes resident 100 bucks non resident 500

Don't fret the NTA will save you. Just send more money.

My assumption is that if passed and enacted it would give an ABC arm of the state guberment a tool to over-react.
Headline says CWD found in an elk on the CO line- elk hunting season closed by them. Jaguar found in AZ close to state line and poof no lion hunting or trapping season. It just goes poof.


Is that gettin close Trav?

Perdy close

NM discrimination at its best. And where is the NTA and the NMTA. NM is dead and there is nothing any organization can do about.

Looks like the word "game" may have offended some of them so now it is no longer Dept of Game and Fish, and is now Dept of Wildlife. Game implies wildlife can be harvested.

NMTA is fighting it. Where are you?

The NMTA isn't DEAD the officers meet every month on a phone call. Calling and writing to your rep. would go a long way in helping us and you Our fur auction is coming up we can use some help and your fur, you can still trap on public land if you're an native American , NOONE can legally ask you if your a native, or you can roll over and whine.

The pendulum is swinging back all across the country. I hope that translates into putting common sense back into wildlife management.

NM Has Toas, Sante Fe, Las Cruces and Albuquerque. Taos - Sante Fe is a hippie artist dope smokers paradise. Albuquerque has an unbelievable amount of crime and Las Cruces just kind of lives in Disney land. Kamala won NM no problem. Its the same thing that happened in AZ and CO. The cockroaches just keep migrating in.

WY ID and MT have a little cockroach migration but real winter holds it back some.

The cockroaches are coming in slowly. I think Montana of the three of these states is getting more of them.

AZ happened in 1994. Might be a urban/ rural thing? Republican controlled State. Very Republican State back then.

New Mexico is really screwed because their ban was I believe legislative, not ballot initiative.

Via legislature yes

How is that not a blatant violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution? The law is supposed to be blind with respect to race. Is there any organization trying to challenge it in the courts on that basis? There should be.

They added a caveat. "For religious purposes"

We filed suit some time ago.

We are awaiting a judges decision on our appeal. The NMTA is doing all we know how to protect our way of life, we very much appreciate all the support we receive from all of you.

I heard that Deb Haaland is going to run for NM governor. That might be the actual death blow for NM trappers.

Is there actually a religious ritual or rite that requires trapping? I know there's some Indian tribe that requires going out and getting an eagle feather as part of a rite of manhood. I wasn't aware that this extended to trapping furbearing animals.

I dont know much about Indian religion's except that animals are involved in many if not all of them. That is what the law says. A member of a federally recognized tribe can trap for religious purposes.

Heck I certainly don't trap now for money, it must be for religious purposes......jk

Me too

Hunting and trapping is the core of Indian existence and religion. The whiteman drove that out of our collective memory through residential school and other assimilation tactics. Thats why we have so many problems we have no center.
Still going on The US Marine Mammal Protection Act under President Bush destroyed polar bear market for hides and sport hunting. Maybe President Trump will repeal it after he takes over Greenland. I was surprised he did not do that his first term.. But he probably did not have time to get around everything. With the constant attacks from the Democrats making stuff up.

We use fur in a lot of traditional clothing. Dance regalia is usually otter or sea otter. I think everyone should be able to trap and hunt if they want to, but I know the feds have no place to tell any of the tribes that have been where they are since time immemorial what to do or how to do it.

First Trump should repeal the U.S. ban on hunting Polar bears, then we ( in the U.S.) wouldn't need Canadian bears. At least put a HUGE tariff on them Canadian bears.

FYI Donald, Canada only allows a certain race to guide hunts. Wouldn't probably be legal in the U.S.

America First!

AK Timber Tramp
, the NM law is a state law passed by the legislature. not federal.

If you think I'm going to read all that, you must be on something.

A Democrat Governor signed the bill to outlaw trapping on public land. Was Deb Haaland still in the State legislator back then.

K

She was very much a part of roxys law