Protect New Mexico

Your source for environmental information at the NM legislature

HB 536: AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL ENFORCEMENT

An Act Relating To Game And Fish; Providing For Enforcement Of Aquatic Invasive Species Control.

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MILD HB 536
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL ENFORCEMENT

Legislative URL:
HB 536 on nmlegis.gov
Emergency Clause:
No
Germane:
N/A
Location:
- OTHER -
Action:
[21] HENRC/HJC-HENRC [31] DP-HJC [39] DNP-CS/DP [50] PASSED/H (63-3) [44] SJC API.
Issue(s):
,

Related Legislators

Bill Sponsor:

Related Documents

Downloads:
Introduced
HENRC Committee Report
HJC Committee Report
HJC Committee Substitute
Final House Vote
Fiscal Impact Report
Summary

This bill amends the section of law that addresses “aquatic invasive species control” as follows:

  • The bill authorizes the Department of Game and Fish to require a conveyance, vessel or equipment to stop and be inspected for aquatic invasive species in several circumstances: at a port of entry into the State, prior to launching a vessel onto bodies of water in the State, and, upon a reasonable belief that an aquatic invasive species may be present.
  • The Director of Game and Fish may delegate that authority to other State agencies.
  • The owner of a conveyance or equipment that requires decontamination or is impounded must pay for all costs associated with the decontamination or impoundment.
  • A person who commits one of the violations set forth in the section of law will also be strictly liable for all damages and costs associated with the person’s unlawful activity, including the costs of containing and eradicating the aquatic invasive species from the water body in which the violation occurred.
  • “Vessel” is defined as “every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.”

 

One potential benefit of this bill might be that it will assist in keeping New Mexico’s waters free from contamination by invasive species.

Outcome: HB 536 passed the House (63-3) and died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Date of Summary:  2/13/13; Updated 5/31/13