HOUSE BILL 121

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson

AN ACT

RELATING TO ANIMALS; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978 TO PROHIBIT THE SLAUGHTER OR TRANSPORT OF HORSES FOR ULTIMATE SLAUGHTER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION; PROVIDING A PENALTY; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

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

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] HORSE SLAUGHTER OR TRANSPORTING HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION PROHIBITED--PENALTY.--

          A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for a person to slaughter a horse if that person knows or should know that any of the horse meat will be used for human consumption.

          B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it is unlawful for a person to possess, to import into or export from or transport through New Mexico, or to sell, buy, give away, hold or accept any horse meat if that person knows or should know that the horse meat will be used for human consumption.

          C. A person who knowingly violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, which is punishable pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the New Mexico livestock board for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 to enforce the provisions in law for regulating the transport of horses for slaughter for human consumption. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2015 shall revert to the general fund.

- 2 -