New Mexico Advances the Final Piece of Wildlife Governance Reform
New Mexico is once again demonstrating what 21st-century wildlife governance can look like.
On Feb. 11, the New Mexico Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 104 (39–0), legislation that strengthens the independence and integrity of the State Wildlife Commission. The bill clarifies the process for removing commissioners: while the governor may initiate removal, the final decision would rest with the New Mexico Supreme Court.
That may sound procedural but this has been an important missing piece in transparent wildlife governance in the state. In the past, New Mexico has struggled with abrupt removals of commissioners and at times, even failed to have quorums for wildlife commission meetings.
When commissioners can be removed at will, political pressure can override evidence, public trust erodes, and long-term conservation suffers. SB104 ensures that removal decisions are subject to judicial review and grounded in clear standards: incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.
Even more importantly, this is not a partisan issue. The unanimous New Mexico Senate vote reflects broad agreement that wildlife governance must be stable, accountable, and insulated from political swings.
This new reform effort in SB104 builds directly on last year’s landmark reform bill: SB5, the most comprehensive overhaul of the state’s wildlife governance structure in more than a century. That 2025 law modernized the mission of the agency to serve all wildlife, not just game species; established professional qualifications and a nominating committee for commissioners; expanded representation; and secured dedicated funding for Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Together, these reforms move New Mexico toward a model in which wildlife is managed for biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the public trust, not just one for narrow interests. They strengthen democratic oversight and public accountability while protecting scientific integrity.
The implications extend beyond New Mexico. States across the country are grappling with outdated wildlife governance systems built for a different era. New Mexico is showing that reform is possible, and that bipartisan consensus can exist around strengthening public institutions.
There is still work ahead. SB104 now moves to the House in the final days of the legislative session: only a little more than a week remains in this year’s 30-day legislative session. But the Senate’s unanimous vote sends a clear message: safeguarding the independence and professionalism of wildlife commissions is not controversial. It is common sense.
Wildlife governance reform is not about headlines. It is about durable systems that serve all life, now and in the future. And in that regard, New Mexico continues to lead.
