HOUSE BILL 38

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Candy Spence Ezzell

AN ACT

RELATING TO ANIMALS; AMENDING SECTION 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 (BEING LAWS 1931, CHAPTER 117, SECTION 2, AS AMENDED) TO PROHIBIT WOLF REINTRODUCTION PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH.

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

     Section 1. Section 17-1-26 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1931, Chapter 117, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "17-1-26. RULEMAKING POWER--PREDATOR ERADICATION.--

          A. The state game commission is hereby authorized and directed to make such rules and regulations and establish such service as it may deem necessary to carry out all the provisions and purposes of [this Act] Chapter 17 NMSA 1978 and all other acts relating to game and fish [and]. In making such rules and regulations and in providing when, to what extent, if at all and by what means game animals, birds and fish may be hunted, taken, captured, killed, possessed, sold, purchased and shipped, the state game [and Fish] commission shall give due regard to the zones of temperatures and to the distribution, abundance, economic value and breeding habits of [such] the game animals, birds and fish.

     The state game commission is hereby authorized to spend such reasonable amounts as in its judgment is desirable and necessary annually, from their funds not otherwise needed, for the eradication of predatory animals.

          B. As of the effective date of the provisions of this 2009 act, the state game commission shall suspend any rule and activities of the department of game and fish that provide for the reintroduction of wolves."

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