New Mexico 2025 Regular Session Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 1 R · 1 D cosponsors

HB 284 — FREE-ROAMING HORSES & LIVESTOCK CODE

Last action — Pocket Veto

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

Vetoed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (Democratic) on April 14, 2025.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

321 added · 436 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendments to HB 284 clarify definitions related to livestock and specifically address the management of free-roaming horses in New Mexico. The bill now explicitly allows for fertility control, relocation, and adoption of free-roaming horses, ensuring their humane treatment and management. It also requires the New Mexico Livestock Board to evaluate and approve the qualifications of experts who will manage the horse herds, and it prohibits their slaughter or export for slaughter. These changes are significant as they enhance protections for free-roaming horses and establish guidelines for their welfare.

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HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL 284 57TH LEGISLATURE -STATEOFNEWMEXICO- FIRST SESSION, 2025 4 6 8 10 AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS;
AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS;
REQUIRING THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD TO APPROVE THE e t 17 QUALIFICATIONS OF A FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT;
REQUIRING THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD TO APPROVE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT;
ALLOWING THE NEW w l n d 18 MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD TO MAKE RULES REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF = = 19 a l THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT;
ALLOWING THE NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD TO MAKE RULES REGARDING THE APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT;
PROHIBITING i a e r 20 THE SLAUGHTER OR EXPORT FOR SLAUGHTER OF FREE-ROAMING HORSES;
PROHIBITING THE SLAUGHTER OR EXPORT FOR SLAUGHTER OF FREE-ROAMING HORSES;
a t m m 21 PROVIDING A PENALTY.
PROVIDING A PENALTY.
d r e 22 c e s k 23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
e a n b 24 SECTION 1.
SECTION 1.
Section 77-2-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, u [ Chapter 248, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
Section 77-2-1.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1993, Chapter 248, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
.230867.3 HJC/HB 284 "77-2-1.1.
"77-2-1.1.
B.
HJC/HB 284 Page 1 B.
e t 17 E.
E.
"bond" means cash or an insurance agreement from w l n d 18 a New Mexico licensed surety or insurance corporation pledging = = 19 surety for financial loss caused to another, including a l i a e r 20 certificate of deposit, letter of credit or other surety as may a t m m 21 be approved by the grain inspection, packers and stockyards d r e 22 administration of the United States department of agriculture c e s k 23 or the board;
"bond" means cash or an insurance agreement from a New Mexico licensed surety or insurance corporation pledging surety for financial loss caused to another, including certificate of deposit, letter of credit or other surety as may be approved by the grain inspection, packers and stockyards administration of the United States department of agriculture or the board;
e a n b 24 F.
F.
"brand" means a symbol or device in a form u [ approved by and recorded with the board as may be sufficient to .230867.3 - 2 - HJC/HB 284 readily distinguish livestock should they become intermixed with other livestock;
"brand" means a symbol or device in a form approved by and recorded with the board as may be sufficient to readily distinguish livestock should they become intermixed with other livestock;
J.
HJC/HB 284 Page 2 J.
e t 17 M.
M.
"district" means a livestock inspection w l n d 18 district;
"district" means a livestock inspection district;
= = 19 N.
N.
"equine" means a horse, pony, mule, donkey or a l i a e r 20 hinny;
"equine" means a horse, pony, mule, donkey or hinny;
a t m m 21 O.
O.
"equine rescue or retirement facility" means a d r e 22 facility, including a public or private reserve or preserve, c e s k 23 that provides lifelong care or finds new owners for unwanted, e a n b 24 abused or neglected equines or captured free-roaming horses, u [ but does not include a federal facility;
"equine rescue or retirement facility" means a facility, including a public or private reserve or preserve, that provides lifelong care or finds new owners for unwanted, abused or neglected equines or captured free-roaming horses, but does not include a federal facility;
.230867.3 - 3 - HJC/HB 284 [O.] P.
P.
"fertility control" means the reduction or maintenance of the reproduction rate of animals or free-roaming horses using castration or non-surgical contraceptives;
"fertility control" means the reduction or maintenance of the reproduction rate of animals or free-roaming horses using castration or non-surgical HJC/HB 284 Page 3 contraceptives;
"free-roaming horse expert" means a person registered and authorized by the board as qualified to perform e t 17 free-roaming horse or herd management services;
"free-roaming horse expert" means a person registered and authorized by the board as qualified to perform free-roaming horse or herd management services;
w l n d 18 [P.] T.
T.
"inspector" means a livestock or brand = = 19 inspector;
"inspector" means a livestock or brand inspector;
a l i a e r 20 [Q.] U.
U.
"livestock inspector" means a certified a t m m 21 inspector who is granted full law enforcement powers for d r e 22 enforcement of The Livestock Code and other criminal laws c e s k 23 relating to livestock;
"livestock inspector" means a certified inspector who is granted full law enforcement powers for enforcement of The Livestock Code and other criminal laws relating to livestock;
e a n b 24 [R.] V.
V.
"mark" means an ear tag or ownership mark u [ that is not a brand;
"mark" means an ear tag or ownership mark that is not a brand;
.230867.3 - 4 - HJC/HB 284 [S.] W.
W.
[T.] X.
X.
"mule" means a hybrid resulting from the cross of a horse and [an ass] a donkey;
"mule" means a hybrid resulting from the cross of a horse and a donkey;
and [U.] Y.
and Y.
"person" means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation or similar legal entity." SECTION 2.
"person" means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation or similar legal HJC/HB 284 Page 4 entity." SECTION 2.
[including a private reserve or private preserve, that advertises or solicits for equines and provides lifelong care or finds new owners for equines that are unwanted or have been neglected or abused or e t 17 captured wild equines that cannot be returned to their range] w l n d 18 B.
B.
A facility shall not operate in New Mexico = = 19 unless registered by the board.
A facility shall not operate in New Mexico unless registered by the board.
a l i a e r 20 C.
C.
a t m m 21 (1) register facilities that meet the d r e 22 requirements of this section and rules promulgated by the c e s k 23 board;
(1) register facilities that meet the requirements of this section and rules promulgated by the board;
e a n b 24 (2) [annually] consult with representatives u [ from the equine industry, equine rescue organizations and .230867.3 - 5 - HJC/HB 284 veterinarians on facility standards;
(2) consult with representatives from the equine industry, equine rescue organizations and veterinarians on facility standards;
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(d) provision of veterinary care;
HJC/HB 284 Page 5 (d) provision of veterinary care;
and e t 17 (h) other requirements necessary to w l n d 18 ensure the humane care of equines.
and (h) other requirements necessary to ensure the humane care of equines.
= = 19 D.
D.
The board may establish civil fines not a l i a e r 20 exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation for a t m m 21 violations of this section and rules related to equine rescue d r e 22 and retirement facilities promulgated by the board.
The board may establish civil fines not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation for violations of this section and rules related to equine rescue and retirement facilities promulgated by the board.
c e s k 23 [D.] E.
E.
e a n b 24 (1) an initial inspection and registration fee u [ of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250);
(1) an initial inspection and registration fee of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250);
.230867.3 - 6 - HJC/HB 284 (2) an annual inspection and registration fee of not more than one hundred dollars ($100);
(2) an annual inspection and registration fee of not more than one hundred dollars ($100);
[E.] F.
F.
"[NEW MATERIAL] FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT--APPROVAL OF QUALIFICATIONS--RULES.-- A.
HJC/HB 284 Page 6 "FREE-ROAMING HORSE EXPERT--APPROVAL OF QUALIFICATIONS-- RULES.-- A.
A person shall not provide free-roaming horse or herd management services, administer free-roaming horse fertility control or capture a free-roaming horse for relocation unless registered by the board as a free-roaming e t 17 horse expert;
A person shall not provide free-roaming horse or herd management services, administer free-roaming horse fertility control or capture a free-roaming horse for relocation unless registered by the board as a free-roaming horse expert;
w l n d 18 (1) persons providing free-roaming horse or = = 19 herd management services prior to the effective date of this a l i a e r 20 2025 act who apply for registration as a free-roaming horse a t m m 21 expert within three months after the board promulgates rules d r e 22 related to registration and subsequently become registered, or c e s k 23 who cease such free-roaming horse or herd management services;
(1) persons providing free-roaming horse or herd management services prior to the effective date of this 2025 act who apply for registration as a free-roaming horse expert within three months after the board promulgates rules related to registration and subsequently become registered, or who cease such free-roaming horse or herd management services;
e a n b 24 or u [ (2) the federal bureau of land management or .230867.3 - 7 - HJC/HB 284 the federal forest service acting in accordance with applicable federal law, regulations and policy.
or (2) the federal bureau of land management or the federal forest service acting in accordance with applicable federal law, regulations and policy.
(2) determining the ownership status of land;
(2) determining the ownership status of HJC/HB 284 Page 7 land;
(1) promulgate rules regarding the e t 17 determination and approval of qualifications and registration w l n d 18 of free-roaming horse experts and may establish civil fines not = = 19 exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation for a l i a e r 20 violations of Subsection A of this section;
(1) promulgate rules regarding the determination and approval of qualifications and registration of free-roaming horse experts and may establish civil fines not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation for violations of Subsection A of this section;
a t m m 21 (2) register free-roaming horse experts that d r e 22 meet the requirements of this section and the rules promulgated c e s k 23 by the board;
(2) register free-roaming horse experts that meet the requirements of this section and the rules promulgated by the board;
and e a n b 24 (3) revoke the registration of a free-roaming u [ horse expert that fails to comply with Section 77-18-5 NMSA .230867.3 - 8 - HJC/HB 284 1978, or related rules, and apply other penalties that the board deems appropriate.
and (3) revoke the registration of a free-roaming horse expert that fails to comply with Section 77-18-5 NMSA 1978, or related rules, and apply other penalties that the board deems appropriate.
Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the New Mexico livestock board general fund and may be used to carry out the provisions of this section." SECTION 4.
Fees collected pursuant to this section shall HJC/HB 284 Page 8 be deposited in the New Mexico livestock board general fund and may be used to carry out the provisions of this section." SECTION 4.
[NEW MATERIAL] FREE-ROAMING HORSES--HUMANE MANAGEMENT--FERTILITY CONTROL--PROHIBITIONS.-- A.
FREE-ROAMING HORSES--HUMANE MANAGEMENT-- FERTILITY CONTROL--PROHIBITIONS.-- A.
A state, county or municipal government or e t 17 governmental subdivision may enter into an agreement with a w l n d 18 registered free-roaming horse expert to conduct free-roaming = = 19 horse surveys and management and determine land carrying a l i a e r 20 capacity.
A state, county or municipal government or governmental subdivision may enter into an agreement with a registered free-roaming horse expert to conduct free-roaming horse surveys and management and determine land carrying capacity.
If a registered free-roaming horse expert determines a t m m 21 as part of the agreement that the free-roaming horse or herd d r e 22 exceeds the carrying capacity of the land inhabited, the expert c e s k 23 or the expert's agents may cause control of a free-roaming e a n b 24 horse or herd upon the approval of the appropriate landowner u [ through:
If a registered free-roaming horse expert determines as part of the agreement that the free-roaming horse or herd exceeds the carrying capacity of the land inhabited, the expert or the expert's agents may cause control of a free-roaming horse or herd upon the approval of the appropriate landowner through:
.230867.3 - 9 - HJC/HB 284 (1) the use of fertility control via immunocontraception or castration;
(1) the use of fertility control via immunocontraception or castration;
(2) humane capture and relocation to an equine rescue or retirement facility, with permission of the facility, having the capacity to accept free-roaming horses that is registered with the board pursuant to Section 77-2-30 NMSA 1978 or an equivalent out-of-state facility that meets the board's facility standards for lifelong sanctuary care or for the purposes of adoption of the free-roaming horse or horses;
(2) humane capture and relocation to an equine rescue or retirement facility, with permission of the facility, having the capacity to accept free-roaming horses that is registered with the board pursuant to Section 77-2-30 NMSA 1978 or an equivalent out-of-state facility that meets the board's facility standards for lifelong sanctuary care or HJC/HB 284 Page 9 for the purposes of adoption of the free-roaming horse or horses;
e t 17 B.
B.
A free-roaming horse captured and relocated to w l n d 18 an equine rescue or retirement facility pursuant to this = = 19 section shall be microchipped or freeze branded for individual a l i a e r 20 and ownership identification purposes.
A free-roaming horse captured and relocated to an equine rescue or retirement facility pursuant to this section shall be microchipped or freeze branded for individual and ownership identification purposes.
a t m m 21 C.
C.
A free-roaming horse expert shall not enter d r e 22 private land or state land without the permission of the owner c e s k 23 or lessee of that land.
A free-roaming horse expert shall not enter private land or state land without the permission of the owner or lessee of that land.
e a n b 24 D.
D.
A free-roaming horse expert shall not engage in u [ herd management activities on federal land without the .230867.3 - 10 - HJC/HB 284 appropriate federal entity's permission or on tribal land without the appropriate tribal entity's permission.
A free-roaming horse expert shall not engage in herd management activities on federal land without the appropriate federal entity's permission or on tribal land without the appropriate tribal entity's permission.
Nothing in this section shall affect the federal bureau of land management's or the United States forest service's authority to manage free-roaming horses that are not subject to the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and found on lands administered by the federal bureau of land management or the United States forest service, including the federal bureau of land management's or the United States forest service's authority to gather, remove and sell free-roaming horses in accordance with applicable law, regulations and policy.
Nothing in this section shall affect the federal bureau of land management's or the United States forest service's authority to manage free-roaming horses that are not subject to the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and found on lands administered by the federal HJC/HB 284 Page 10 bureau of land management or the United States forest service, including the federal bureau of land management's or the United States forest service's authority to gather, remove and sell free-roaming horses in accordance with applicable law, regulations and policy.
e t 17 A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a w l n d 18 misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in = = 19 accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978.
a l i a e r 20 Each free-roaming horse that is slaughtered, sold for a t m m 21 slaughter, caused or allowed to be slaughtered, transported for d r e 22 slaughter or released in violation of this subsection c e s k 23 constitutes a separate offense.
Each free-roaming horse that is slaughtered, sold for slaughter, caused or allowed to be slaughtered, transported for slaughter or released in violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense.
e a n b 24 G.
G.
u [ (1) "adoption" means the taking of custody and .230867.3 - 11 - HJC/HB 284 ownership of a free-roaming horse by a qualified individual who has demonstrated to the equine rescue or retirement facility in possession of that horse the capacity and intent to provide humane treatment and care of the animal, including proper feeding, sheltering, husbandry, handling and care;
(1) "adoption" means the taking of custody and ownership of a free-roaming horse by a qualified individual who has demonstrated to the equine rescue or retirement facility in possession of that horse the capacity and intent to provide humane treatment and care of the animal, including proper feeding, sheltering, husbandry, handling and care;
(2) "carrying capacity" means the number of free-roaming horses that a given amount of land can support long-term while maintaining or improving healthy vegetation, soil, water and free-roaming horse herds inhabiting that land, taking into account human uses, including livestock grazing and other agricultural uses, and wildlife populations;
(2) "carrying capacity" means the number of HJC/HB 284 Page 11 free-roaming horses that a given amount of land can support long-term while maintaining or improving healthy vegetation, soil, water and free-roaming horse herds inhabiting that land, taking into account human uses, including livestock grazing and other agricultural uses, and wildlife populations;
and (4) "humane euthanasia" means to produce a e t 17 humane death of an animal by standards deemed acceptable by the w l n d 18 board of veterinary medicine as set forth in the board's = = 19 rules." a l i a e r 20 - 12 - a t m m 21 d r e 22 c e s k 23 e a n b 24 u [ .230867.3
and (4) "humane euthanasia" means to produce a humane death of an animal by standards deemed acceptable by the board of veterinary medicine as set forth in the board's rules." HJC/HB 284 Page 12 25
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Action History

  1. Pocket Veto

  2. passed Senate

  3. DO PASS committee report adopted

  4. DO PASS committee report adopted

  5. Sent to Senate Conservation Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee

  6. passed House

  7. DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

  8. DO PASS committee report adopted

  9. Sent to House Agriculture, Acequias & Water Resources Committee & House Judiciary Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 110 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (110)

110 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 284?
HB 284 is sponsored by Pat Woods (Republican) and Matthew McQueen (Democrat).
What is the current status of HB 284?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 284?
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