ELK LICENSE PLATE

HB 580 creates a special elk-themed license plate for New Mexico vehicles, allowing owners to pay a $25 initial fee (plus $10 annually) to support wildlife conservation. The revenue splits: $10 covers plate production costs, while $15 (plus all renewal fees) funds the state's "Share with Wildlife" program in the Game Protection Fund. The bill requires the Department of Game and Fish to design the elk logo and mandates that plate issuance may stop after 2031 if annual sales fall below 50% of the 2026-2031 average. This affects vehicle owners who choose the plate, with no personalized designs permitted.