New Mexico § 74-2-14 - Criminal penalties

Full text of New Mexico New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 74-2-14 — Criminal penalties, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 74-2-14. Criminal penalties

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Air Quality Control Act, a local authority

may prescribe penalties for violations of an ordinance: (1) regulating open-fire burning or residential incineration; or (2) prohibiting the removal of motor vehicle emission control devices installed as

required by law and requiring the maintenance of such devices in operating condition. B. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Air Quality Control Act, it is a petty

misdemeanor to violate any regulations of the environmental improvement board: (1) regulating open-fire burning or residential incineration; or (2) prohibiting the removal of motor vehicle emission control devices installed as

required by law or requiring the maintenance of such devices in operating condition. C. Except as provided in Subsection D of this section, any person who knowingly commits

any of the following acts is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall be sentenced

in accordance with the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978: (1) violation of any regulation relating to commercial or industrial incineration; (2) violation of any regulation adopting any federal standard of performance; (3) violation of any regulation relating to control of hazardous air pollutants;

or (4) violation of any regulation relating to control of toxic air pollutants. D. At any source required to have an operating permit pursuant to Section 502 of the

federal act, any person who knowingly commits any violation of any applicable standard,

regulation or requirement under the Air Quality Control Act or the federal act, any

term or condition of an operating permit or any emission fee or filing requirement

in any operating permit regulation of the environmental improvement board or the local

board is guilty of a fourth degree felony and shall, upon conviction, be punished

by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation or

by imprisonment of not more than eighteen months, or both. E. Any person who knowingly commits any violation of a regulation of the environmental

improvement board or the local board not listed in Subsection B, C or D of this section

is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced in accordance with the provisions

of Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978 . F. Any person who knowingly: (1) makes any false statement, representation or certification in any application,

record, report, plan or other document filed or required to be maintained under the

Air Quality Control Act, any permit issued pursuant to the Air Quality Control Act

or any regulation adopted pursuant to that Act; or (2) falsifies, tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device

or method required to be maintained under the Air Quality Control Act, any permit

issued pursuant to the Air Quality Control Act or any ordinance or regulation adopted

pursuant to that act is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be punished

by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation or

by imprisonment for not more than twelve months, or by both. G. Any person who knowingly releases into the ambient air any hazardous air pollutant

or extremely hazardous substance listed pursuant to Section 302(a)(2) of the Superfund

Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. 1102(a)(2) that is not listed in Section 112 of the federal act and who knows at the time of

the release that he creates a substantial danger of death or serious bodily injury

to another person is guilty of a second degree felony and, upon conviction, shall

be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed nine years or a fine not to exceed

one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or both. Any person, other than an individual or a governmental entity, who commits such

violation is guilty of a second degree felony and shall be fined in an amount not

to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). If a conviction of any person under this subsection is for a second or subsequent

violation, the maximum punishment shall be doubled with respect to both the fine and

the imprisonment.

Source: official New Mexico text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New Mexico § 74-2-14

What does New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 74-2-14 cover?

Section 74-2-14 ("Criminal penalties") is part of the New Mexico Statutes Annotated, the codified statutory law of New Mexico. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Mexico § 74-2-14?

A common citation format is "New Mexico Statutes Annotated § 74-2-14" (New Mexico). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New Mexico law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Mexico official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Mexico attorney.

How does New Mexico § 74-2-14 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Mexico can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Mexico.