New Mexico Modernizes Wildlife Agency and Species Protection With Bipartisan Bill

Overview

On March 20, New Mexico enacted comprehensive bipartisan legislation (SB 5) to strengthen the state’s wildlife agency. SB 5 expands the state’s Department of Wildlife’s authority to conserve all species, boosts its funding, and modernizes criteria for appointing members to the State Wildlife Commission.

State Context: Biodiversity and Wildlife Agencies in New Mexico

A bipartisan coalition of hunting, wildlife, and conservation organizations and partners worked with legislators to shape the bill over the last eight years, with iterations in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

SB 5 builds on other recent conservation measures and investments in New Mexico, including the establishment of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund (NM SB 9) in 2023. This year, the state has also proposed a $10.5 million appropriation for the Department of Wildlife to conserve Species of Greatest Conservation Need, as well as a $50 million appropriation to support the construction of wildlife crossings. 

Key Components of the Bill: 

SB 5 includes several key features that strengthen the state wildlife agency’s funding, authority, and decision-making process, including:

• Increases hunting and fishing licensing fees to keep pace with inflation and authorizes the commission to adjust these fees annually based on inflation. 
• Renames the Department and Commission to include ‘wildlife’, replacing the formerly used words of “fish and game.”
• Expands the Department’s authority to manage all species of wildlife, including species that are not hunted or fished recreationally. 
• Changes appointment criteria for the State Wildlife Commission to consist of three at-large members, one farmer or rancher, one individual from an organization focused on nongame wildlife conservation, a hunting and fishing license holder, and a wildlife scientist. The bill establishes a wildlife commission nominating committee consisting of both the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate. 

The bipartisan legislation was sponsored by New Mexico State Senators Pete Campos, Peter Wirth, Matthew McQueen, Crystal Brantley, and Nathan Small.

National Context: How Other States are Strengthening Wildlife Agencies in 2025

Many states across the U.S. are seeking to strengthen their wildlife agencies by increasing funding, expanding agency authority, and improving decision-making processes to better support comprehensive wildlife conservation. In 2025, at least 24 states are taking legislative action to strengthen wildlife agencies.

Looking Ahead: Wildlife Agencies and States

New Mexico’s SB 5 offers a roadmap for other states to strengthen their wildlife agencies, expand conservation efforts, and ensure more species and communities are represented in decision-making. To learn more about wildlife agencies and the actions of states in 2025, read NCEL’s latest blog.

• NCEL Blog: Three Ways States Are Strengthening Their Wildlife Agencies in 2025 
• NCEL Fact Sheets: State Wildlife Agency Funding, Authority, and Governance.