HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 57

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

AN ACT

RELATING TO LIVESTOCK; ENACTING THE LIVESTOCK CRIME STOPPERS ACT; CREATING A LIVESTOCK CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR REWARDS.

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

     Section 1. A new section of The Livestock Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Livestock Crime Stoppers Act"."

     Section 2. A new section of The Livestock Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.--

          A. "livestock-related crime" means a crime involving livestock, including theft, unlawful branding, unlawful killing or mutilation, illegal movement or other criminal offense involving livestock contained in the Criminal Code or The Livestock Code; provided that, with respect to animal cruelty, "livestock-related crime" means the crime of extreme cruelty to animals established in Section 30-18-1 NMSA 1978; and

          B. "program" means the livestock crime stoppers program."

     Section 3. A new section of The Livestock Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] PROGRAM CREATED--POWERS AND DUTIES.--

          A. The board may establish a "livestock crime stoppers program" to assist the board and state and local law enforcement agencies in the arrest and conviction of persons who commit livestock-related crimes. Through the program, the board may offer rewards to persons who provide information or other assistance leading to a defendant's arrest, prosecution or conviction for a livestock-related crime.

          B. To implement the program, the board:

                (1) shall adopt and promulgate rules governing the conduct and administration of the program, including how:

                     (a) rewards will be determined and paid;

                     (b) information received by the program will be collected and transmitted to the proper livestock inspector or other law enforcement agency; and

                     (c) confidentiality of crime stopper records and the identity of persons who provide information to the program will be maintained;

                (2) shall encourage the media of the state to promote the program;

                (3) may enter into contracts for program management, advertising and other purposes necessary to the program, including contracts with other crime stoppers programs; and

                (4) may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations and contributions made pursuant to court order to support the program.

          C. The board shall deposit money received pursuant to Paragraph (4) of Subsection B of this section in a separate bank account in a federally insured financial institution. Money for rewards and other expenses of the program shall be disbursed as directed by the director in accordance with financial control mechanisms established by the board and the department of finance and administration, and the account shall be subject to the board's annual audit."

- 3 -