b'2025 State ReportPost WPMAEXPOSB 431 - Liquor Tax Changes: This bill was combined withClean Car Rules Remain,parts of HB 417 and SB 378 into HB14.Although NMPMADespite an Attempt to Blockopposes any tax increase impacting our members, this 20%Another attempt to block a state mandate requiring an increased increase in the liquor tax was the least impactful and best optionstock of electric vehicles delivered to New Mexico car dealer-for membership. The changes in HB 14 stopped liquor taxes fromships has failed in the Senate Conservation Committee along being collected at the retail location.They will continue collect- party lines. Starting in 2026 43% of all cars and light-duty trucks ing taxes at the wholesale level, but the distribution of the newmust be zero-emissions. In 2028- 51%, 2029- 59%, 2030- 68%, tax will now go to Navajo and Tribal rehabilitation. 2031-76% and 2032-82% respectively.News Around New Mexico Another State Cabinet LeaderExits AbruptlyGovernor Unveils The top state health official in Governor Michelle Lujan $10.9 Billion spending plan for FY 26 Grishams administration abruptly resigned, marking the Big Spending infusions for New Mexico roadlatest exit from a Cabinet carousel at the state Capital. construction, homelessness, childcare, and theState Health Secretary Patrick Allen, who was appointed states long-term water supply would be autho- by the governor in December 2022, stepped down after rized under a $10.9B spending plan Governorless than two years on the job.Michelle Lujan Grisham proposed. The Budget proposal would boost overall state spending byNew Mexico Court Upholds Ruleabout $720 millionor 7% - over current levelsAimed at Curbing Ozone Pollutionand would also provide pay raises for state em-ployees and public-school workers. EarmarkingGovernor MichelleThe New Mexico Court of Appeals has upheldcapital outlay funding for construction of a newLujan Grisham regulations aimed at cracking down on emissions in one reproductive health and abortion clinic. of the nations top-producing oil and gas states. The case centered on a rule adopted in 2022 by state regulators that called for curbing the pollutants that chemically react in theA Legislative Roundhouse presence of sunlight to create ground-level ozone, commonly of Mostly Women: known as smog. The Environmental Department believes high Now that New Mexico has aozone levels can cause respiratory problems, including asthma majority-female state legislatureand chronic bronchitis.for the first time, experts are watch-ing to see what, if anything, isSenator Martin Heinrichdifferent because of this broken bar- Becomes the Top Democrat on therier. Indeed, several Western states have been leading the nation in femaleEnergy Committeerepresentation for over a decade. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich will be the top Democrat on the commit-tee, leading the minority party opposite Former Republican Senator Greg Nibert Republican Chair Senator Mike Lee on appointed to the PRC the energy committee. Heinrich indi-Despite losing his legislative seat in 2024,cated he expects to fight for public lands Greg Nibert will continue serving Newand focus on national labs and permit-Mexicans through state government, thisting reform in the Senate Energy and time as a regulator of utilities. GovernorNatural Resources Committee. SenatorMartin Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed NibertHeinrichto the role at the Public Regulatory Com-mission, an independent state agency tasked with ensuring reliable and safe utilities atSenator Greg NibertSreasonable prices. WPMA News / Spring 202555'