The proposed bill aims to amend the Liquor Control Act by introducing several significant changes to restaurant licensing and fees. It reduces renewal fees for a Type B restaurant license and removes the previous restriction on the number of drinks a customer could order. Additionally, it allows holders of restaurant A licenses to obtain New Mexico spirituous liquors permits without the requirement of being in good standing for twelve consecutive months. The bill also establishes local entertainment zones, which would enable governing bodies to create regulations regarding alcohol purchase and consumption within designated areas. Furthermore, it creates a new restaurant C license for establishments that only serve beer and wine.

In terms of specific amendments, the bill introduces a new structure for restaurant licenses, designating them as restaurant A, B, or C based on the types of alcoholic beverages they are permitted to sell. It also modifies the fee structure for these licenses, increasing the fee for a restaurant A license to $1,550 and establishing a tiered fee for restaurant B licenses, charging $10,000 for the first year and $6,000 for subsequent years. The bill repeals a previous section of the 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