SB 5 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

GAME COMMISSION REFORM

SB 5 reforms New Mexico's wildlife management structure by renaming the State Game Commission to the State Wildlife Commission and the Department of Game and Fish to the Department of Wildlife. It establishes a new nominating committee for appointments, sets specific qualifications for commissioners (including a rancher, conservationist, hunter/angler, and scientist), and limits commissioners to two terms after 2027. The bill also requires fee adjustments for licenses to account for inflation and provides discounts for residents receiving SNAP benefits. These changes aim to modernize wildlife management governance while expanding conservation-focused representation.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Signed Mar 20, 2025

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What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill fundamentally restructures New Mexico's wildlife management by renaming the State Game Commission to the State Wildlife Commission, renaming the Department of Game and Fish to the Department of Wildlife, and significantly reforming how commissioners are appointed and removed. The changes expand the commission's purpose beyond just game and fish to include broader wildlife management and create a more diverse, representative commission with specific requirements for commissioner qualifications and term limits.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from managing only 'game and fish' to broader 'wildlife' management and changes the commission's name and statutory references throughout the code.

DEFINITION

Renamed the State Game Commission to State Wildlife Commission and Department of Game and Fish to Department of Wildlife throughout the statute.

REQUIREMENT

Created a State Wildlife Commission Nominating Committee to submit qualified nominees to the governor for commissioner appointments.

Extended commissioner terms from 4 years to 6 years with a maximum of two terms after January 1, 2027.

Added eligibility restriction preventing appointment of individuals who changed party affiliation in the previous four years, with limited exceptions for primary election voting purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed commissioner composition from 4-3 party split to 7 members with specific requirements: at least one member from a federally recognized tribe, one rancher/farmer, one conservationist, one hunter/angler, and one scientist with a master's degree.

ENFORCEMENT

Added removal procedures for commissioners requiring incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance with notice of hearing and opportunity to be heard.

TECHNICAL

Repealed sections 17-1-1 and 17-2-2 NMSA 1978 and recompiled existing sections with new numbering.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 13, 2025

Executive · Passed

Senate concurred in House amendments

executive

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

lower

Mar 3, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee

lower

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

floor substitute adopted (1 amendment)

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Rules Committee & Senate Conservation Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors