SB 236 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

LOOK TWICE FOR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATE

SB 236 creates special "Look Twice for Motorcycles" license plates for motorcycle owners in New Mexico, requiring a $40 initial fee (plus $10 annual renewal) to support driver safety awareness. The bill directs revenue from these fees - $33 from the initial fee and $10 annually - to fund motorcycle training and driver education programs through the state's transportation department. It also mandates that the state monitor adoption rates, requiring the division to stop issuing these plates if annual uptake falls below 50% of the 2024-2025 average starting July 2026. The program applies specifically to motorcycle owners, with separate fee structures for motorcycles versus other vehicles.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 31, 2025 Signed Apr 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico's Look Twice for Motorcycles special registration plate program by clarifying eligibility for both motor vehicles and motorcycles, adjusting fee amounts, and updating the sunset review mechanism. The changes ensure consistent application of the program across all vehicle types while maintaining funding for driver safety education.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include motorcycles as eligible vehicles for the special registration plates, whereas the original version primarily focused on motor vehicles with a separate motorcycle provision that was less clear.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that both motor vehicles and motorcycles are eligible for the Look Twice for Motorcycles special registration plates, with distinct fee structures for each vehicle type.

FISCAL

Adjusted initial and renewal fees: motor vehicles now pay $45 initial and $15 renewal, while motorcycles pay $40 initial and $10 renewal, with specific allocations to the division and motorcycle training fund.

TIMELINE

Changed the sunset review comparison period from fiscal years 2024-2025 to 2026-2027, and updated the review start date from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific language requiring the logo to indicate support for driver safety awareness and remind drivers to look twice for motorcycles.

DEFINITION

Added a new provision (Section E) establishing a sunset review process to evaluate program effectiveness and determine when to stop issuing plates if demand drops below 50% of the 2026-2027 average.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2025 · House Mar 21, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

Mar 4, 2025

D Democratic24

20 Yea 4

83% Yea

R Republican16

16 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 8, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors