AN ACT

RELATING TO CONVENTION CENTER FINANCING; AMENDING CONVENTION CENTER FEE EXEMPTIONS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 5-13-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2003, Chapter 87, Section 5) is amended to read:

"5-13-5. EXEMPTIONS.--The convention center fee shall not apply:

A. if a vendee:

(1) has been a permanent resident of the lodging facility for a period of at least fifteen consecutive days; or

(2) enters into or has entered into a written agreement for a room at a lodging facility for a period of at least fifteen consecutive days;

B. if the local governmental entity by ordinance exempts lodging facilities whose maximum daily room charge is less than the amount stated in the ordinance;

C. to rooms at institutions of the federal government, the state or any political subdivision thereof;

D. to rooms at religious, charitable, educational or philanthropic institutions or other nonprofit organizations, including rooms at summer camps operated by such institutions;

E. to clinics, hospitals or other medical facilities;

F. to privately owned and operated convalescent homes or homes for the aged, infirm, indigent or chronically ill; or

G. if the vendor does not offer at least three rooms at its lodging facility. The convention center fee shall be imposed on the lodging facilities of a vendor that owns three or more lodging facilities within local governmental entities that have imposed a convention center fee, regardless of the number of rooms available for occupancy."