Monitor and analyze
Track legislation, regulations, and emerging government issues that could affect veterinary medicine.
NMVMA-led state advocacy
Member voice. Practice action.
NMVMA’s Legislative Affairs Committee connects practice experience, policy analysis, and Board-approved direction to help New Mexico’s veterinary community stay informed and ready to act.
What the committee does
The Committee monitors developments, gathers member input, works with NMVMA’s legislative consultant, and prepares recommendations for the Board.
Track legislation, regulations, and emerging government issues that could affect veterinary medicine.
Translate complex issues into practical recommendations for the NMVMA Board.
Keep members informed and coordinate testimony, action alerts, and other timely policy engagement.
Know the difference
Does not: support candidates, run election activity, or control PAC fundraising.
Does not: set NMVMA policy on its own or replace the Legislative Affairs Committee.
Legislative Affairs handles policy analysis and engagement. The NMVMA Advocacy Group (PAC) handles political support. Neither replaces the NMVMA Board’s authority to approve association priorities and positions.
Areas of attention
Workforce, veterinary teams, patient safety, and access to care are central to the policy work described in this page.
Recruitment, retention, distribution, and the realities facing rural and underserved communities.
Appropriate roles, career pathways, team development, and patient-centered safeguards.
Clear, evidence-based scope-of-practice standards that protect clinical responsibility and public trust.
Practical approaches that reduce unnecessary barriers while preserving professional standards.
Policies that support viable practices and reliable access to veterinary services across New Mexico.
Recognition of veterinary medicine’s essential role in animal health, agriculture, and One Health.
2026 advocacy record
Interim work, member education, and relationships help prepare the association for the next session.
2026 advocacy update
New Mexico’s 30-day 2026 Legislative Session adjourned on February 19, but NMVMA’s work continues through interim activity, member education, relationship-building, and preparation for the 2027 session.
Recent work includes gathering member survey data, clarifying how the NMVMA Advocacy Group (PAC) supports Board-approved priorities, and recruiting more members to help track issues, respond when needed, and share examples from practice.
Read the full NMVMA updateTop priorities in NMVMA’s 2026 member survey
From NMVMA’s lobbyist
NMVMA’s March 16 post-session report documents the measures the association monitored and helps frame the work ahead.
Tracking is not a position. The report also covered proposals involving spay/neuter funding, shelters, equine care, search-and-rescue animals, animal-cruelty provisions, and technology. Do not assume NMVMA supports or opposes a tracked measure; use a current NMVMA action alert or confirm the position with the association.
Member advocacy toolkit
Start with official information and the current NMVMA position. Add one clear local example and one specific request.
NMVMA’s Board approves association priorities and positions. Member stories make those positions stronger, but no member may speak for NMVMA—or create, change, or negotiate an NMVMA position—unless the association has specifically authorized that role.
Speaking personally? You may always share your own views. If they are not an approved NMVMA position, say clearly: “I am speaking for myself, not on behalf of NMVMA.” Route media inquiries and requests for an official statement to nmvma@nmvma.org.
Use the official New Mexico Legislature directory to confirm your current state representative and senator before you reach out.
Search by bill number, sponsor, keyword, subject, committee action, or current location. Read the latest bill text and action history before commenting.
Review current agendas, interim meetings, webcasts, and public-comment instructions. Check the official agenda again on the day you participate.
Explain what you are seeing in a New Mexico practice or community, who is affected, and what practical policy result would improve care, safety, or access.
Before contacting a policymaker on an NMVMA priority, verify the Board-approved position, current message, timing, and specific ask.
See why the work continues after adjournment and how members can help monitor issues, respond to action alerts, and prepare for 2027.
Before outreach
Email or call
Meeting or hearing
After contact
Your 60-second message
“Hello Senator/Representative [Name]. I am a [role] and constituent from [New Mexico community]. I am contacting you about [issue or bill]. In my experience, [one concrete local effect]. I respectfully ask you to [the approved, specific action]. I would be glad to provide additional veterinary context. Thank you.”
Describe the request as NMVMA’s position only when it appears in a current official action alert or you have direct authorization.
Five rules for credible advocacy
Committee schedules and public-comment procedures can change. Always rely on the current official agenda and NMVMA action alert.
A coordinated process
Policy analysis informs Board-approved direction. Political support is carried out through the PAC, not the Committee.
Practice experience, survey findings, listening, and direct feedback.
The Legislative Affairs Committee evaluates issues with the legislative consultant.
The NMVMA Board approves policy positions and major legislative priorities.
The NMVMA Advocacy Group (PAC) educates, builds relationships, raises funds, and supports aligned candidates.
Advocacy in action
Member experience gives policy conversations a practical New Mexico perspective.
NMVMA members and veterinary advocates outside the New Mexico State Capitol.
NMVMA advocates in a working meeting with New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales.
NMVMA advocates standing with New Mexico Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales after a policy meeting.Through our partnership with the American Veterinary Medical Association, NMVMA has a dedicated AVMA staff contact who monitors national and regional developments that could affect New Mexico. This liaison keeps us informed about emerging federal issues and AVMA’s advocacy in Washington, D.C., so NMVMA can assess implications, share relevant updates, and coordinate when member input is needed.
AVMA also invites New Mexico representatives to participate in summer Capitol Hill advocacy activities. These visits create opportunities to meet with members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation and connect federal policy discussions to the realities of veterinary practice and communities at home.
One coordinated voice. NMVMA coordinates participation and messaging undertaken on behalf of the association so New Mexico’s contribution is accurate, focused, and aligned with approved priorities.
New Mexico veterinary advocates during a previous Capitol Hill visit in Washington, D.C.
NMVMA participants taking part in summer advocacy activities in Washington, D.C.
New Mexico veterinary representatives participating in AVMA Capitol Hill advocacy activities.
NMVMA representative participating in a previous Capitol Hill advocacy visit.Questions, answered
The NMVMA Board approves association priorities and positions after receiving analysis and recommendations from the Legislative Affairs Committee and input from members and professional advisors.
Only when NMVMA has specifically authorized you to do so. Membership or committee service alone does not authorize anyone to state, change, or negotiate an association position. You may identify yourself as an NMVMA member while speaking personally, but make that capacity clear and follow official NMVMA action alerts when supporting an association priority.
No. Candidate support and election activity belong to the NMVMA Advocacy Group, the association’s Political Action Committee.
No. Your most valuable contribution is a clear example from practice: what you are seeing, who is affected, and what change would make a meaningful difference.
Follow NMVMA’s advocacy updates, share your story through the form above, and contact NMVMA to join the advocacy newsletter or express interest in committee service.
Read the 2027 Session update. Confirm the association’s current position before speaking on its behalf.
One meaningful next step
Share a story, respond to an action alert, or volunteer your expertise.
