This is a Test Newsletter

Morning NMGA Members,

Our 2025 New Mexico Legislative session (60-day) has come to an end.  In my opinion it was one of the best sessions ever for our members.  We were able to help defeat over 90% of the bills which would have affected all of our members and consumers. Most importantly The New Mexico Grocers Association is now being recognized in Santa Fe and has a very powerful voice. Below is a list of bills on the top of our agenda at this year’s session:

HB11 Paid Family Medical Leave – This bill DID NOT PASS! It failed in the Senate Finance Committee on an 8-3 vote.

HB285 Customer Rights: Software Price Changes by Grocery or Retail Stores – This bill DID NOT PASS.  We were able to send the chair and committee lots of great reasoning to table this until they can get advice from NMGA.

HB246 Minimum Wage $17:  This Bill DID NOT PASS

HB392 Single-Use Plastic Bag Act: This bill was substituted in its first committee, House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee but tabled in House Commerce & Economic Development Committee. This bill DID NOT PASS

HB417 Liquor Surtax:  This bill DID NOT PASS

HB460 Repeal Liquor Taxes: This bill DID NOT PASS

HB478 Liquor License Transfer Criteria: This bill DID NOT PASS

SB20 Increase Cigarette & Tobacco Product Taxes: This bill DID NOT PASS

HB14 Earned Income Tax Credit – First they removed the controversial Oil & Gas tax from this bill.  They wrapped SB378 20% Liquor Excise tax into this bill .18 cents per case (was .93 now $1.10 per case).  This is a manageable increase & much better than the 6% surtax.  This BILL PASSED but was VETOED by the Governor (This same bill has now been vetoed 3 years in a row).

SB431 Liquor Excise & Surtax: This Bill was wrapped into HB14 (above this bill) and passed.  Governor VETOED this bill.

SB378 Raises Liquor Excise Tax Rates by 20%:  This bill was wrapped into HB14 (listed above) and passed. Governor VETOED this bill.

A very special “Thank you” to Bianca Gutierrez (NMGA Lobbyist) & Ron Brown (Latitudes Owner) for all the support at this year’s session. 

Sincerely,

Henry Sandoval, Executive Director

New Mexico Grocers Association