This bill amends the Liquor Control Act to introduce several significant changes regarding restaurant licenses and their associated fees. It establishes a new classification system for restaurant licenses, creating a "restaurant A" license for establishments selling beer, wine, and spirituous liquors produced by craft distillers, a "restaurant B" license for those selling beer, wine, and spirituous liquors, and a "restaurant C" license for those selling only beer and wine. The bill also removes the previous restriction on the number of drinks a customer can order and allows holders of restaurant licenses to obtain a New Mexico spirituous liquors permit without needing to be in good standing for twelve consecutive months. Additionally, it provides for the creation of local entertainment zones where governing bodies can set their own regulations regarding alcohol sales and consumption.

The bill also revises the fee structure for various licenses, increasing the fee for a restaurant A license from $1,050 to $1,550, while establishing a fee of $10,000 for the first year and $6,000 for subsequent years for a restaurant B license. A new restaurant C license is introduced with a fee of $1,050. Furthermore, the bill repeals a section of the current law and sets an effective date for these changes to take place on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 60-6A-4, 60-6A-15, 60-6B-10