Alcohol bill heading to NM Senate

SANTA FE -- Bipartisan legislation seeking to overhaul New Mexico's liquor laws passed the House Tuesday afternoon, despite an outcry of opposition from current liquor license holders.

House Bill 255 was approved 41-27 and now heads to the Senate.

The bill would create an entirely new license that would allow restaurants to sell liquor without full licensure, change the tax code for existing owners of liquor licenses and allow alcohol delivery under some circumstances.

"This is the first time in 40 years a liquor bill has gone this far that expands business opportunities for some New Mexicans," said Rep. Antonio "Moe" Maestas, D-Albuquerque, one of the bill's sponsors.

Democratic Reps. Javier Martínez and Dayan Hochman-Vigil, both of Albuquerque, and Republican Reps. Rod Montoya of Farmington and Joshua Hernandez of Rio Rancho are also sponsors of the bill. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's administration is "supportive of the bill's aim," according to her office.

Like several recently passed measures, the legislation is being billed as a lifeline for the struggling restaurant industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

However, unlike other measures — which largely have been met with praise or indifference — HB 255 has many outspoken critics, including several restaurants.

The provision that would allow for the creation of a new "restaurant B" license would allow restaurants to serve liquor by paying a yearly fee of $2,500 to $10,000, depending on restaurant capacity.

That's a major departure from current regulations.

Today, restaurants wanting to serve liquor must own or lease a liquor license, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

During Thursday's debate, multiple representatives praised the bipartisan effort behind the bill, but stressed that current liquor license holders are concerned the legislation will devalue their investments.