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HB 319

QUAIL AS "GAME BIRD" & RAISING WITHOUT PERMIT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Block and 1 co-sponsor

Bill classifies quail as game birds and permits residents to raise quail without state authorization, removing agricultural and wildlife regulatory oversight.

action postponed indefinitely
#animals(fish #livestock #pets #wildlife)
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Bill Summary · HB 319

Legislative bill overview

HB 319 would classify quail as "game birds" in New Mexico and allow residents to raise quail without requiring a permit. This change would remove regulatory barriers for small-scale quail farming and clarify the legal status of quail under state wildlife law.

Why is this important

Quail farming has grown as a hobby and small agricultural enterprise, but unclear regulations create uncertainty for backyard farmers. Removing permit requirements could encourage local food production and small-scale farming while also potentially simplifying hunting regulations for wild quail. However, this involves balancing wildlife management with individual property rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Wildlife management concerns: Game bird classification requires coordination with state wildlife agencies to ensure sustainable populations and prevent overharvesting of wild quail stocks
  • Regulatory clarity vs. oversight: Eliminating permits removes state ability to track quail populations and farming practices, potentially complicating disease monitoring or environmental impact assessment
  • Agricultural inconsistency: Other poultry and livestock typically require permitting for biosecurity reasons; exempting quail creates an uneven regulatory framework

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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