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Lawmakers hear competing views on $20 million plan for equine shelter fund; sponsor to revise bill
Summary
Senate Conservation Committee heard testimony for and against SB358, which would create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund with a $20 million endowment to support licensed rescues; supporters said shelters are at capacity and need sustainable funding, while critics cited constitutional and administrative concerns and asked for rewritten fiscal/distribution language.
Senators heard competing testimony on Senate Bill 358, which would create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund intended to generate ongoing revenue for the Equine Shelter Rescue Fund (ESRF). Sponsor Senator Hamlin said the measure would appropriate $20 million into an investment fund to grow interest income and provide stable, long‑term support for licensed equine rescues.
Shelter leaders and county officials described a fragile nonprofit network of 12 licensed equine rescues that together care for hundreds of animals and lack reliable funding. Nina Eidelman of Animal Protection New Mexico and other advocates told the committee the ESRF disburses funds in return for services such as animal care, veterinary treatment and rehoming — not as donations — and that the current ad‑hoc funding model is insufficient. One witness said the 12 licensed rescues collectively care for roughly 442 equines and that a single shelter currently houses about 94 animals.
Cattlemen, tribal representatives and the New Mexico Livestock Board opposed portions of the bill or urged major revisions. Tom Patterson (New Mexico Cattle Growers) questioned whether funding private rescues could violate the state’s anti‑donation clause unless the state receives a measurable governmental benefit. James Rivera (tribal representative) and others warned of linked legislation that, in their view, could threaten free‑roaming horse populations.
Belinda Garland of the New Mexico Livestock Board said the board has capacity and fiscal concerns: the draft would impose new responsibilities on the board requiring FTEs and contracts but offered limited funding to cover those duties.
Senator Hamlin agreed to meet with the State Investment Council and the Livestock Board to resolve distribution, fiduciary and implementation concerns and said she would return the bill for further committee consideration next Tuesday.
Next steps: Sponsor to revise language addressing State Investment Council recommendations, prudent‑investor issues, and Livestock Board capacity before bringing SB358 back to committee.
