INDEPENDENT THEATER BEER & WINE LICENSES
SB 159 allows independent theaters in New Mexico to serve beer and wine during movie screenings or events, directly affecting qualifying theaters that meet specific criteria (single location, New Mexico-based, operating for at least one year). The bill establishes a $100 annual license fee, limits service to two 12-ounce beers or two 6-ounce wine servings per customer per event, and requires local government approval. The license cannot be transferred between locations or individuals, and servers must hold valid permits. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
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 27, 2025
Signed Apr 9, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
JU substitute
→
Final Version
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was reformatted from a committee substitute version to the final version, with minor text adjustments and page number updates. The substantive policy content regarding special independent theater dispensing licenses for beer and wine remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
Page numbers and formatting were updated from the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute version to the final version, with line numbers reorganized.
Minor text reordering and spacing adjustments were made throughout the document without changing the legal meaning.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 11, 2025 · House Mar 21, 2025
How they voted
36–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 40
Mar 11, 2025
D
Democratic24
87% Yea
R
Republican16
93% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Apr 9, 2025
Signed into law
Signed
executive
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed House
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
Sent to House Commerce & Economic Development Committee & House Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
passed Senate
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
floor substitute adopted (1 amendment)
upper
Mar 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee & Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Leo Jaramillo
DDemocratic
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