The 2025 New Mexico Legislative session has come to an end, and we are thrilled to share the good news: the three bills we supported passed. We appreciate everyone from around the state who raised their voice on behalf of New Mexico’s wildlife!
Our biggest accomplishment was Senate Bill 5, which reforms and modernizes the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The approved legislation changes the name to the Department of Wildlife, secures $15 million in new annual funding ($4 million of which is specifically for non-game species in decline), restructures the Commission, and clarifies the authority of the Department to work on all wildlife in New Mexico including non-game species and invertebrates. These changes were essential to the recovery and management of the species we care about, including birds. New Mexico’s wildlife agency now has the tools, funding, and authority to address the challenges of the next century.
Water is our most precious resource in New Mexico. 80% of the state’s at-risk bird species are reliant on healthy riparian habitats, and such habitats are supported by healthy rivers and streams. However, climate change, overuse, and regulatory uncertainty have put our waterways at risk. Several years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Sackett decision, which determined that only permanently flowing streams and rivers would be protected under the Clean Water Act. In New Mexico, this left almost 95% of our waterways without a process for issuing pollution discharge permits for industry for example, because these were previously covered under the federal government and New Mexico had no state program.
Fortunately, Senate Bill 21, which creates and funds a surface water permitting program and sets standards for pollution discharge permits now fills this gap left in the wake of the Sackett decision. Furthermore, Senate Bill 37 expands the uses of our Strategic Water Reserve and ensures the funds can be spent over a longer period of time. Both bills passed the Legislature and await the Governor’s signature.
Lastly, some existing programs got notable bumps in the general budget: the River Stewardship Program secured an additional $5 million. This program leverages federal funding to distribute grants to non-profits and others to perform restoration work on New Mexico’s rivers and streams.
None of these successes would be possible without our passionate and engaged network of advocates who made their voices heard in Santa Fe at the Roundhouse. We greatly appreciate your support and the privilege of advocating on behalf of birds and the places they need.
