Not a single accomplishment won through the legislative process is easy—and sometimes, the fight for animals continues even after initially declaring victory. A prime example is Animal Protection Voters’ tireless efforts to strengthen the safety net for homeless and abused horses and other equines in New Mexico. APV’s efforts span well over a decade, and in 2013 we succeeded in lobbying the State Legislature to create the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund (ESRF) as well as a new state tax refund check-off donation option on state tax forms to raise revenue for the fund. The following year, in 2014, A ..read more

Multiple pro-animal bills passed their first hurdle—but there’s a long way still to go and only 16 days left. The second full week of the 2024 state legislative session is finishing up, and we are heartened that several key bills for animals have made initial progress. Pictured: HB 191 bill sponsors and testifiers after the committee hearing. (left to right) Rep. Tara Lujan, Ledy VanKavage, former Governor Charlie Dormé of Tesuque Pueblo, Rep. Joseph Sanchez, Elizabeth Wolf, Governor Milton Herrera of Tesuque Pueblo, APV Executive Director Lisa Jennings. Photo courtesy of Veronica Sanchez. R ..read more

In just thirty short days, a lot is possible for the animals. Next Tuesday, January 16th, the 2024 New Mexico legislative session will kick off! On even-numbered years, like this year, the session is considered a “short session,” where New Mexico lawmakers have just 30 days to conduct business. During these short sessions, the State Constitution restricts what legislation can be considered: 1) fiscal measures (the state budget, appropriations, and revenue bills), 2) a limited number of items placed on the agenda by the Governor’s special message, and 3) bills that were vetoed in the previous s ..read more

Fur trappers want to defy the will of a majority of New Mexicans in court Photo of Roxy, who strangled to death in a snare set on public land by a trapper in 2018 Yesterday, news broke that fur-trapping organizations have filed a lawsuit to try to overturn the Wildlife Conservation & Public Safety Act, aka “Roxy’s Law,” in federal court. Roxy’s Law restricts the use of traps, snares, and poisons on public lands in New Mexico. The law was passed by the New Mexico Legislature and signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2021, and it went into effect in April 2022. In the lawsuit filed ..read more

It is done: The bill to criminalize sexual abuse of animals has been signed into law! Yesterday, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 215, unanimously approved by the New Mexico Legislature, into law—which means effective June 16, 2023, bestiality will finally be illegal in New Mexico. We are grateful to all of the policymakers, leaders, and advocates who were a part of this campaign to make bestiality a serious crime. With the signing of SB 215, West Virginia remains the only US state in which bestiality remains legal. Animal Protection Voters was proud to lead the charge to pa ..read more

The 2023 state legislative session is over! Here’s an overview of what was accomplished in the Legislature this year for New Mexico’s animals (but still needs the Governor’s signature to become law). POLICY BILLS PASSED! Senate Bill 215 (Establish Crime of Bestiality) APV priority bill SB 215 will make it a fourth-degree felony to commit bestiality; coerce or solicit someone else to commit bestiality; or sell, buy, offer or possess an animal for the purpose of bestiality. It will upgrade the violation to a third-degree felony if done in the presence of a child or involving a child as ..read more

The final couple of weeks of the state legislative session is when bills need to move really fast to have a decent chance to make it all the way through the process. Of course, there’s enough time that almost anythingcan happen. With less than 7 days left to go, there are a few pieces of animal protection legislation that have strong potential to reach the finish line, if things work in our favor. Last week, the bill to make bestiality a crime, Senate Bill 215, cleared the Senate Judiciary  Committee (5-0 vote) after the sponsors submitted a substitute bill that made some changes to the ..read more

With just over three weeks left in the 2023 legislative session, important animal protection legislation has made some progress, but there is still a long way to go. For some, it can feel like time might be running out for our bills. At the same time, experienced lobbyists in New Mexico know that a lot can happen in a short amount of time—and enough support can move bills at lightning speed in the final days. Please know we are working non-stop on our priority bills, on behalf of the animals you and we care about so deeply. Remember to keep an eye on the Legislative Session Tracker on our webs ..read more

As we enter the fourth week of the New Mexico legislative session, things are definitely in full gear. Several more pieces of priority animal protection legislation have been introduced, and the committee hearing process is moving along swiftly. We thank everyone who attended this year’s Animal Protection Lobby Day to support these bills! Last week, bills that received their first hearing in committee included: House Bill 184 (State Game Commission Changes), sponsored by Rep. Matthew McQueen (D-Galisteo), which would change the appointment process and membership qualifications of the Sta ..read more

The 2023 state legislative session is already proving to be one of the biggest and busiest sessions in recent years, when it comes to animal protection policies. Just over a week into the session, Animal Protection Voters staff and lobbyists are already tracking or lobbying on 17 pieces of legislation. Here are some of the highlights. This week, Senate Bill 215, the bill to criminalize animal sexual abuse (bestiality) in New Mexico was introduced. Championed by a strong bipartisan team of sponsors, Senator Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque) and Senator Brenda McKenna (D-Corrales), Senate Bill 215 wou ..read more