Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the Legislature. LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they
are used for other purposes.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Jaramillo/Maestas/Hamblen
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/24/2025
SHORT TITLE Lowrider as Official State Vehicle
BILL
NUMBER Senate Bill 498
ANALYST Rodriguez
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Relates to House Bill 239, Senate Bill 327, and Senate Memorial 7
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Tourism Department (NMTD)
Cultural Affairs Department (DCA)
Agency Analysis was Solicited but Not Received From Department of Transportation (DOT)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Senate Bill 498
Senate Bill 498 (SB498) establishes the lowrider as the official vehicle of New Mexico.
This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
Legislature adjourns if enacted, or June 20, 2025.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
This bill contains no appropriation and has no known fiscal impact.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Lowriders are recognized as part of New Mexico’s culture heritage and history. The Cultural
Affairs Department (DCA) has featured lowriders in state museums and historic sites, including
a feature at the New Mexico Museum of Art in 2016 and an exhibit at the New Mexico History
Museum in 2017. Senate Bill 498 – Page 2
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
SB498 relates to House Bill 239, which directs DCA to conduct a feasibility study for
establishing a lowrider museum in Española, New Mexico; Senate Bill 327, which enacts a new
section of the motor vehicle code to create a lowrider capital of the world special registration
plate; and Senate Memorial 7, which declares February 11, 2025, as “Lowrider Day”.
JR/rl