RELATING TO LIVESTOCK; LIMITING THE INSPECTION FEES FOR COMMUTING SHEEP OR GOATS.

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

Section 1. Section 77-8-20 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1963, Chapter 129, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:

"77-8-20. COMMUTING SHEEP OR GOATS--FEES.--

A. For the purpose of this section, "commuting sheep or goats" means sheep or goats that are transferred from New Mexico to some other state with which New Mexico shares a common boundary and back again or from some other state that shares a common boundary with New Mexico, to New Mexico and back again:

(1) during any twelve-month period;

(2) by one owner; and

(3) for the purpose of seasonal grazing, breeding, lambing or kidding on lands owned or leased by that owner in the course of his normal operations in each of the two states.

B. Owners of commuting sheep or goats shall have them inspected for each movement but shall pay the inspection fees for transporting commuting sheep or goats only once in any twelve-month period. For subsequent movements in a twelve-month period, the owner shall pay the inspection fees on those sheep or goats over the number involved in the first movement. If the owner of commuting sheep or goats transports them for a purpose other than regular commuting they shall, at that time, lose their special character of commuting sheep or goats and be subject to the fees normally required by law."

Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2001.