MILD
SB 157
HUNTING & FISHING INFRACTION PENALTIES
- Legislative URL:
- SB 157 on nmlegis.gov
- Emergency Clause:
- No
- Germane:
- Yes
- Location:
- HJC
- Action:
- [2] SCC/SCONC/SJC-SCC [4]germane-SCONC [7] DP-SJC API.
- Issue(s):
- Animals & Wildlife
Companion Bills
Related Legislators
- Bill Sponsor:
- Clemente Sanchez
Related Documents
Summary
This bill amends current law regarding the penalties for wasting game as a result of poaching by elevating to a fourth degree felony the poaching of bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx, Barbary sheep, elk, deer or pronghorn antelope that results in waste of the animal.
Poaching and wasting other game remains a misdemeanor. The violator will be sentenced in accordance with Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978 from the criminal procedure code. It allows for imprisonment up to 18 months and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
The bill also amends current law so that sentencing for misdemeanors will be made pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978, a section from the criminal procedure code. It provides for imprisonment up to 1 year and/or a fine of up to $1 thousand.
Finally, the bill adds two new penalty assessment misdemeanors. The first is a $50 penalty assessment for fishing, hunting or trapping without the proper stamp or validation and the second is a penalty assessment misdemeanor of $125 for violating the “manner and method rule.” A penalty assessment is similar to a traffic ticket in that the person may choose simply to pay the assessment rather than go through a hearing or court proceeding.
The bill is the same as HB 55 from the 2013 legislative session as it was amended.
HB 128 is a companion bill.
Date of Analysis: 1/28/14
Outcome:
SB 157 died in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Updated 7/31/14