LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER CRITERIA

HB 498 revises New Mexico's rules for transferring liquor licenses between locations. It limits annual transfers to no more than ten licenses per local option district and requires voter approval via petition (signed by 5% of registered voters) and election before new transfers can occur. This affects businesses seeking to relocate licenses and gives local governments the power to block transfers through voter decisions. Transferred licenses will now count toward future license limits in the new district, as specified in the bill's amendments to existing liquor control statutes.