The bill amends Section 60-6B-12 of the New Mexico Statutes to revise the criteria for transferring certain liquor licenses. It allows dispenser's and retailer's licenses issued before July 1, 1981, to be transferred to any location within the state, with specific exceptions for certain counties and municipalities. The bill stipulates that no more than ten licenses may be transferred to any local option district in a calendar year and that these transfers will count towards the maximum number of licenses that can be issued in the future within that district. Additionally, the transfer of a liquor license will become effective upon approval by the local governing body, unless a petition for an election is filed by registered voters.

Significantly, the bill introduces new provisions that allow licenses transferred to a local option district with fewer than the maximum number of licenses to permit the sale of alcoholic beverages in unbroken packages, including locally produced growlers, for off-premises consumption. It also modifies the transfer conditions for rural dispenser's, rural retailer's, and rural club licenses, allowing them to be transferred to local option districts within counties that have fewer than the maximum number of licenses, while ensuring compliance with the Liquor Control Act and department regulations.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 60-6B-12