11/17/03-SB5 stalled in the Senate. However, a similar bill – HB15 – was signed by the governor Nov. 14.

11/4/03-Gov. Bill Richardson over the weekend was calling for senators to come back to the Capitol for discussion on a bill to pump more money into the state highway fund.
The House and Senate were called into special session Oct. 27 to consider the governor’s $1.4 billion highway construction and repair package that includes several tax proposals affecting truckers.
The Senate voted on Halloween 23-14, with eight Democrats joining Republicans, to adjourn without considering any of the tax system tweaks Richardson was pushing.
SB5 calls for increasing the diesel fuel tax 5 cents a gallon to 23 cents. The bill would increase the weight distance tax by 42 percent as well as hike the excise tax on the purchase of a new or used vehicle by 33 percent.
The package also includes such proposals as a liquor tax increase, tax refunds, tax exemptions for low- and moderate-income taxpayers as well as senior citizen income tax exemptions.
While Senators left Santa Fe on Friday, House lawmakers have hung around awaiting a final vote. As long as the House remains in session, the Senate must return to vote by Nov. 5.
The governor said that if he didn’t get what he wanted this time around, he would resurrect the matter in January at the Legislature’s regular session.
For bill status, call (505) 986-4351.