It’s a fair question given that more than 15 alcohol related bills, many of which contained a public safety or health component, were introduced during the 2024 regular session that ended in February. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for the convening of a special session on July 18 to discuss public safety protections, according to a news release. Will liquor excise taxes or other alcohol issues be discussed?
After-session reports indicated the governor was disappointed when some of the crime-fighting bills she favored did not make it to her desk for signature in February. We believe the special session will address crime prevention rather than liquor taxation, even as it relates to alcohol abuse treatment programs. As always, we will be watching and ready!
We know many legislators are not satisfied with the current state of liquor excise taxes, and some will continue to push their proposed solutions during the interim committee meetings that begin in earnest this summer. It is clear that alcohol will be in the crosshairs again when the 2025 session begins in January.