The bill amends existing laws to enhance the enforcement capabilities of law enforcement officers employed by the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. It grants these officers the authority to enforce game and fish laws, as well as provisions of the Criminal Code, the Motor Vehicle Code, and the Boat Act. Specifically, the bill updates Section 17-2-19 NMSA 1978 to include state parks law enforcement officers alongside conservation officers and state police in the enforcement of game laws. It also allows conservation officers to establish checking stations and roadblocks for detecting violations.

Additionally, the bill modifies Section 66-12-22 NMSA 1978 to clarify that the director, park custodians, and designated employees of the division, along with sheriffs and state police, have full authority as peace officers to enforce the Boat Act. The language changes include the removal of gender-specific terms and the inclusion of new enforcement powers for conservation officers, thereby broadening the scope of law enforcement in relation to natural resource protection and public safety.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 17-2-19, 66-12-22