SENATE BILL 56

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2025

INTRODUCED BY

Pat Woods

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO LIVESTOCK; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE LIVESTOCK CODE; RESTRICTING ACCESS TO CERTAIN INFORMATION DURING AN EPIDEMIC.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section of The Livestock Code, Section 77-3-13.1 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:

     "77-3-13.1. [NEW MATERIAL] RESTRICTIONS ON INFORMATION

ACCESS.--

          A. When the board or any of its authorized representatives finds pursuant to Section 77-3-13 NMSA 1978 that a disease has become epidemic or exists in a locality in a country, state or territory beyond the limits of this state, the board or any of its authorized representatives may deny access to the following information regarding persons involved with the livestock industry if the dissemination of such information would cause harm to such persons or would be contrary to the public interest:

                (1) specific operational details of livestock operations, including:

                     (a) ownership, numbers, locations and movements of livestock;

                     (b) financial information;

                     (c) the purchase and sale of livestock;

                     (d) account numbers or unique identifiers issued by government or private entities;

                     (e) operational protocols; and

                     (f) participation in an all-hazards security system;

                (2) information related to livestock disease or injury that:

                     (a) would identify a person or location; or

                     (b) contains confidential data pursuant to the veterinarian-patient-client privilege pursuant to Subsection S of Section 16.25.3.8 NMAC; and

                (3) records of ongoing investigations that pertain to livestock.

          B. Information shall not be withheld pursuant to Subsection A of this section if an investigation by the board has concluded and the person being investigated is found by the board or its authorized representatives to have violated any provision of The Livestock Code that pertains to livestock.

          C. If access to information is denied pursuant to Subsection A of this section, the board or any of its authorized representatives shall redact confidential information and make the remaining information available for disclosure.

          D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the board or any of its authorized representatives to obtain information not otherwise permitted by law.

          E. Nothing in this section shall:

                (1) preclude a person in interest from accessing the person's own information;

                (2) prevent the release of biological livestock samples to authorized third-party entities for scientific testing, so long as the testing entity agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the information it receives; or

                (3) apply when the board or its authorized representatives determine that disclosure of livestock information is necessary to prevent or address an immediate threat to the health and safety of a person or animal.

          F. When disclosing information pursuant to Subsection E of this section, the board or its authorized representatives shall release only as much information as is necessary to address the situation."

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