AN ACT

RELATING TO GAME AND FISH; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GOULD'S TURKEY ENHANCEMENT PERMITS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     Section 1. A new section of Chapter 17, Article 3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "GOULD'S TURKEY ENHANCEMENT PERMITS--ISSUANCE--USE.--

          A. The state game commission may direct the department of game and fish to authorize Gould's turkey enhancement permits for the taking of Gould's turkeys, Meleagris gallopavo mexicana, to raise funds for programs and projects to better manage the Gould's turkey population in New Mexico.

          B. The state game commission shall prescribe by rule the form, design and manner of issuance of the Gould's turkey enhancement permits. The issuance of the permits shall be subject to a lottery or auction. Such allotment of the permits may be conducted by an incorporated nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation of wildlife, in cooperation with and overseen by the commission and the department of game and fish.

          C. The state game commission shall direct the department of game and fish to authorize Gould's turkey enhancement permits only after the department has documented that the issuance of each enhancement permit will not jeopardize the prospects for the survival and recruitment of the Gould's turkey within New Mexico.

          D. Gould's turkey enhancement permits shall be authorized only when doing so does not conflict with the Wildlife Conservation Act or any rules implementing that act.

          E. Money collected from the issuance and sale of the Gould's turkey enhancement permits shall be credited to the game protection fund to be used exclusively for the restoration and management of Gould's turkeys and Gould's turkey habitats, which support a variety of other unique and rare wildlife of southwestern New Mexico."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2005.