This bill updates various fees associated with the regulatory duties of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, specifically concerning egg inspection, pesticide registration, plant protection, fertilizer registration, and commercial feed inspection. Key changes include an increase in the egg inspection fee from one-half cent per dozen to twenty cents per case, and adjustments to dealer license fees, with small dealer fees rising from $10 to $20, medium dealer fees from $25 to $50, and large dealer fees from $50 to $100. Additionally, the bill modifies the annual registration fee for fertilizers from $5 to $50 per brand or grade, and increases the inspection fee for fertilizers and soil conditioners to a maximum of ninety cents per ton, with a minimum fee of five dollars per reporting period.

The bill also revises the inspection fees for commercial feeds, raising the maximum fee from fifteen cents to forty-five cents per ton, while maintaining a minimum fee of five dollars per reporting period. It establishes a requirement for distributors to file quarterly statements regarding the tonnage of products distributed, with penalties for late filings. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the financial framework supporting agricultural regulation in New Mexico by updating fees to better reflect current economic conditions.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 25-6-9, 25-6-12, 76-4-22, 76-5-26, 76-11-4, 76-11-5, 76-19A-12