Senate committee tables bill to block California-style clean-car rule for New Mexico

A bipartisan majority of the Senate Conservation Committee voted to table Senate Bill 139, a proposal that would block New Mexico—s adoption of the California Advanced Clean Car rules and prohibit enforcement of related mandates, after several hours of testimony and questions.

Supporters of SB 139 said the California-based rule, as adopted by the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) last year, effectively limits consumer choice and could harm in-state auto dealers and rural drivers. Opponents said the rules are a necessary tool to reduce vehicle emissions and cited investments and federal funding tied to statewide air-quality plans.

Senator Ron Munoz, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the EIB—s November 2023 adoption of the California rule would require manufacturers to make 43% of vehicles available for sale in New Mexico zero-emission vehicles beginning in model year 2027 and rising each year to 82% by 2032. Munoz said the rule —applies to vehicles for sale, not vehicles driven in New Mexico— and predicted a sudden market disruption that would harm the state—s roughly 15,000 auto dealership employees.

Ken Ortiz, executive director of the New Mexico Automobile Dealers Association, testified that franchise dealers have invested in EV tools and chargers but said New Mexico—s market share for EVs has been slow to grow and charging infrastructure is sparse. Ortiz told the committee New Mexico has about 750 publicly available chargers and roughly 17,000 registered EVs, and he cited a California Air Resources Board benchmark that recommends one public charger per 7 to 10 EVs.

Business groups and local officials also spoke in favor of the bill. Carla Sontag, president and CEO of the New Mexico Business Coalition, said SB 139 would —give New Mexicans a choice— and protect jobs at local dealerships. Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett and dealers from rural areas described limited local EV availability and infrastructure, and urged legislative oversight.

Environmental and consumer witnesses opposed the bill. Ona Porter of Prosperity Works and other clean-energy advocates described EVs— lower maintenance costs and public charging expansion; Daniel Pritchard of Taos and other longtime EV drivers said electrification reduces operating costs and publicly available chargers are increasing. Hannah Riesley White of the Interstate Stream Commission and other public officials urged caution about jeopardizing EPA approvals tied to the state implementation plan.

Committee questions focused on whether the bill could threaten federal transportation funding and whether manufacturers or dealers were withholding EV allocations. Senator Cedillo Lopez, noting her prior work for the Air Quality Control Board, warned that removing the independent board—s authority could conflict with federal approval of New Mexico—s state implementation plan and risk federal funds.

When the committee voted on a motion to table SB 139, Senator Bill Pope moved to table and the motion was approved 5-3. The roll call showed yes votes from Senators Charlie, Hamblin, Pope, Cedillo Lopez and Stefanik and no votes from Senators Zell, Scott and Townsend. The chair said the bill was tabled and could be revisited later.

The committee recorded extensive public comment representing both industry and environmental perspectives; several witnesses asked for more planning and infrastructure investment if the Legislature moves away from the EIB—s adopted rule.

The debate left unresolved whether the Legislature or an administrative board should set vehicle-emissions policy for New Mexico and how the state will reconcile EV infrastructure shortfalls with the adopted rule.