Bill > HB498

This bill modifies New Mexico's existing liquor license transfer regulations by expanding the conditions under which liquor licenses can be transferred between local option districts and counties. Specifically, the bill removes some previous restrictions on license transfers, such as the limitation that only dispensers' licenses transferred outside their original district could sell drinks on-site. Now, when a license is transferred to a local option district with fewer than the maximum allowed licenses, the licensee can sell alcoholic beverages both by the drink on-premises and in unbroken packages (including locally produced growlers) for off-site consumption. The bill also changes transfer rules for rural dispensers', rural retailers', and rural club licenses, allowing them to be transferred to local option districts within a county that has not yet reached its maximum number of licenses, instead of the previous more restrictive geographic transfer rules. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions that require local governing body approval for license transfers and allows for potential voter referendums on accepting statewide license transfers in specific districts.

Business and Industry

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=498&year=25