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New Mexico Passes Historic Reform Bill SB5

May 23, 2025 | Reforming State Wildlife Management, State Wildlife Commissions

An image of a New Mexico desert vista of tock structures against a blue sky. Test on the image in white and blue reads, "Victory for wildlife: New Mexico passes historic wildlife reform bill SB5, a blueprint for science, equity, and 21st-century conservation." SB5 reforms New Mexico’s wildlife governance—marking a landmark win for biodiversity, ecosystems, and public representation.

New Mexico Passes Historic Reform Bill SB5

An image of a New Mexico desert vista of tock structures against a blue sky. Test on the image in white and blue reads, "Victory for wildlife: New Mexico passes historic wildlife reform bill SB5, a blueprint for science, equity, and 21st-century conservation." SB5 reforms New Mexico’s wildlife governance—marking a landmark win for biodiversity, ecosystems, and public representation.

Victory for Wildlife and Democracy: New Mexico Passes Historic Reform Bill SB5

In a landmark win for wildlife, ecosystems, and everyday New Mexicans, Senate Bill 5 (SB5) has officially become law—marking the first comprehensive reform of New Mexico’s wildlife governance structure in over a century. This is a huge milestone for equitable, science-informed wildlife management in the state, and one that Wildlife for All is proud to have championed alongside our partners in a broad coalition unlike any other in the country.

SB5 is a transformative piece of legislation that puts New Mexico at the forefront of modern wildlife governance—and lays the groundwork for similar reforms nationwide.

What SB5 Accomplishes

SB5 is rooted in the idea that managing wildlife for the benefit of all is critical for addressing today’s ecological challenges. Here’s what the bill achieves:

 

    • Changes the name of the commission and department to reflect their authentic conservation goals: To align with this broader mission, the department and commission will receive new names: the State Wildlife Commission and Department of Wildlife by July 2026. The Department will slowly roll out these changes. All marketing assets like truck decals and brochures that use the current name and logo do not need to be replaced immediately and will be phased out over time.

 

    • Establishes a professionalized, nonpartisan Wildlife Commission: Beginning January 1, 2027, appointments to the commission must meet new qualifications, emphasizing scientific expertise and diverse representation, including tribal and conservation perspectives. Commissioners will be limited to two terms of six years each. A nominating committee will consider candidates and make recommendations to the government for appointments. Senate confirmation of the governor’s appointments will continue as it has previously.

 

  • Increases to state agency funding: Starting April 1, 2027, license fees for hunting and trapping will increase for the first time in decades. Additionally, a separate bill secured $10.5 million over three years for work on Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) — a state list of wildlife with populations in decline or at risk of losing habitat. This essential funding will help recover the many declining species that would otherwise fall through the cracks.

Despite the governor’s line-item veto eliminating independent review of commissioner removals, the core pillars of reform remain intact. The new commission will still be more qualified, more representative, and less politically vulnerable than its predecessors. That’s worth celebrating.

Why It Matters

New Mexico has long been governed by outdated wildlife policies and agency structures built for a different era. SB5 recognizes that wildlife conservation today must be inclusive, science-informed, and responsive to both climate change and mass extinction.

This law also reflects a growing public demand for more democratic representation and enhanced wildlife decision-making for all species. It gives Indigenous leaders, conservation scientists, birders, hikers, and other nature lovers a stronger voice in how wildlife is managed. That’s a win for people and the planet.

What’s Next

Wildlife for All is already working with coalitions in other states to replicate the success of SB5. Our goal? Ensure every state updates its wildlife governance structures to meet the needs of this century. SB5 gives us a clear, tested framework to bring to legislatures across the country.

As the bill’s various provisions roll out, we’ll be working to ensure strong implementation and continued public involvement. This is just the beginning.

Key Dates to Watch

  • July 1, 2026:
    • New Department and Commission names are official — but we’re not going to wait until then to call them the State Wildlife Commission and New Mexico Department of Wildlife
  • January 1, 2027:
    • New commissioner nominating committee, qualifications and appointment criteria begin
  • April 1, 2027:
    • License fees for hunting and trapping will increase and discounts will be offered for low income households

Let’s take a moment to celebrate this breakthrough. It’s not every day we get a chance to fundamentally change how wildlife is governed in a way that reflects 21st-century values and science.

SB5 is more than a bill—it’s a blueprint for change. And Wildlife for All is committed to carrying it forward, one state at a time.