HOUSE BILL 9

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Rebecca Dow and G. Andrés Romero and Jack Chatfield and

Gail Armstrong and Antonio Maestas

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD; AUTHORIZING THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD TO CONDUCT MEAT INSPECTIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF MEAT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 77-2-7 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1967, Chapter 213, Section 6, as amended) is amended to read:

     "77-2-7. ADDITIONAL POWERS OF THE BOARD.--In addition to the powers transferred from the cattle and sheep sanitary boards, the board may:

          A. exercise general regulatory supervision over the livestock industry of this state in order to protect the industry from theft and diseases and in order to protect the public from diseased or unwholesome meat or meat products;

          B. appoint and fix the salary of an executive director who shall file an oath and be bonded [in an amount fixed by the board]. The director shall manage the affairs of the board under the direction of the board. [He] The director shall be chosen solely on qualifications and fitness for the office. [He] The director shall devote [his entire] all time in office to the duties of the office;

          C. employ clerical help, provide office space and purchase equipment, including vehicles;

          D. employ [livestock] inspectors [and brand inspectors] and other personnel necessary to carry out the purposes of The Livestock Code. All livestock inspectors appointed by the board shall have the same powers as any other peace officer in the enforcement of that code;

          E. appoint a state veterinarian and subordinate veterinarians as are necessary to carry out the duties of the board;

          F. adopt and promulgate rules to control the importation and exportation of animals;

          G. establish livestock inspection districts;

          H. establish quarantine, provide its boundaries and give notice of the quarantine and do all other things necessary to effect the object of the quarantine and to protect the livestock industry of this state from disease and prevent the spread of disease;

          I. adopt and promulgate rules for meat inspection [including]:

               (1) to ensure the safety and quality of meat for human consumption; and

                (2) to include rules for the slaughter and disposition of the carcasses of livestock affected with diseases when the action appears necessary to prevent the spread of any contagion or infection among livestock;

          J. adopt and promulgate rules governing the importation, manufacture, sale, distribution or use within the state of [serums, vaccine] sera, vaccines and other biologicals intended for diagnostic or therapeutic uses with livestock and regulate the importation, manufacture or use of virulent blood or living virus of any diseases affecting livestock;

          K. set fees or charges, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per call, for any services rendered by the board or its employees that are deemed necessary by the board and for which no fee has been set by statute;

          L. consider the views of the livestock industry in the administration of The Livestock Code;

          M. adopt and promulgate rules to otherwise carry out the purposes of The Livestock Code;

          N. hold hearings and subpoena witnesses for the purpose of investigating or enforcing The Livestock Code or rules established pursuant to that code; and

          O. enter into joint powers agreements with Indian nations, tribes or pueblos to promote cooperation in carrying out the provisions of The Livestock Code."

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