Bill > SB312

This bill: 1. Renames the Department of Game and Fish as the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the State Game Commission as the State Wildlife Conservation Commission. It makes changes throughout the law to reflect these new names. 2. Amends the statutory policy to provide for the conservation and management of the state's wildlife as a public trust resource with intrinsic and ecological value, for the benefit, use, enjoyment and food supply of all New Mexicans, including future generations. 3. Defines "wildlife" more broadly to include all nondomestic animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. 4. Increases the nonresident license fee to hunt bull elk from $525 to $700. 5. Eliminates the set-aside of 10% of special draw licenses for nonresidents contracted with a New Mexico outfitter and 6% for nonresidents not required to be contracted with an outfitter. Instead, a minimum of 90% of special draw licenses will be allocated to residents. 6. Narrows the conditions under which a landowner can take or kill animals causing property damage, requiring the department to offer interventions and the landowner to demonstrate the damage exceeds any wildlife-related income. 7. Makes changes to penalties and license revocation provisions, including increasing fines for certain violations. 8. Provides for transfers of functions, personnel, money, appropriations, and property from the Department of Game and Fish to the new Department of Wildlife Conservation. 9. Appropriates $1 million for management of species of greatest conservation need and $1 million for expenses relating to the name change.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislation.aspx?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=312&year=21