H 183 TRANSFER GAME & FISH DEPT. & GAME COMMISSION

Rep Matthew McQueen

Actions: [2] HENRC/HGEIC-HENRC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 183 (HB 183) moves the Department of Game and Fish to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department as a division. It replaces the State Game Commission with the Game Advisory Board and administratively attaches the board to the Game and Fish Division. HB 183 reassigns rulemaking to the Game and Fish Division and provides for transfers of functions, personnel, appropriations, money, property, contractual obligations, statutory references and rulemaking from the Department of Game and Fish and the State Game Commission to the Game and Fish Division. 

 House Bill 183 (HB 183) moves the Department of Game and Fish to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) as a division. It makes this change in Chapter 9, Article 5A-1 et seq NMSA 1978 (EMNRD Act) by expanding the list of divisions to include Game and Fish Division (GFD) and to indicate this division’s duties within the EMNRD and statutorily. HB 183 transfers rule-making to the GFD throughout the relevant subsections in Section 17-2A-1 et seq NMSA 1978.
It replaces the State Game Commission with the Game Advisory Board throughout Chapter 17-1-1 et seq NMSA 1978 and administratively attaches the board to the GFD where it acts in an advisory capacity and for planning purposes. It charges the secretary of EMNR to hire a director for the GFD.
HB 183 reassigns rulemaking to the GFD and provides for transfers of functions, personnel, appropriations, money, property, contractual obligations, statutory references and rulemaking from the DGF and the State Game Commission to the GFD on 1 July 2025. It clarifies that state treasurer deposits certain amounts in the non-reverting Game Protection Fund unless otherwise provided by law. 
HB 183 makes conforming changes and technical updates throughout including changing the name of the Conservation Services Division to the Conservation Services Bureau (Section 17-1.5.1 NMSA 1978)
It repeals -Section 17-1-15 NMSA 1978.
HB 183 would be effective 1 July 2025.
 

 HB 183 relates to HB 184.