HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 56

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

INTRODUCED BY

William "Bill" R. Rehm

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO STUDY THE CONSOLIDATION OF VARIOUS HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES AND STAMPS FOR THE EASE OF HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN.

     WHEREAS, there are currently over thirty statutorily created classes of hunting and fishing licenses and numerous additional stamps and special use permits created by rule; and

     WHEREAS, there are over two hundred licensed vendors throughout the state selling over-the-counter licenses for hunting and fishing; and

     WHEREAS, there is an overabundance of bureaucracy that hunters and fishermen must navigate in order to purchase the correct classification of license with the correct stamp; and

     WHEREAS, violations and fines apply to hunters and fishermen who in good faith purchased a hunting or fishing license but did not purchase the proper license or neglected to purchase an additionally required stamp; and

     WHEREAS, enforcement of laws and rules should focus on poaching, where no permit or license whatsoever has been issued; and

     WHEREAS, purchasing the proper hunting and fishing licenses should not be unduly burdensome;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to study the consolidation of the various licenses and stamps to reduce the complexity and facilitate the purchase of the proper licenses for hunters and fishermen and report its findings to the interim courts, corrections and justice committee, or its successor, by November 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and to the director of the department of game and fish.

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