A special session of the New Mexico Legislature is over.

Lawmakers wrapped up the session Wednesday, Oct. 13, after compromising on a $217 million rebate and tax relief package to aid residents in the state with higher fuel prices.

The package has been sent to Gov. Bill Richardson.

It includes $106 million in direct rebates to taxpayers. Checks ranging from $64 to $289 are expected to be mailed by early November.

Left out of the final version was a Senate proposal for a three-day sales tax holiday in early December.

Lawmakers, however, failed to approve price-gouging protections for consumers during the special session despite calls from Richardson to do so.

An effort to allow the state to investigate and punish companies that engage in price gouging after disasters won approval in the House Tuesday, Oct. 11. However, the Senate Judiciary Committee tabled it on a 6-4 vote later the same day.

The bill – HB9 – underwent revisions as it made its way through the House. Changes to the measure made it more acceptable to the oil-and-fuel industry.

The bill would have made it illegal to sell goods or services for an “unconscionable price” after natural disasters or emergencies and the governor has issued an executive order saying a market disruption is likely.

An unconscionable price is defined as being more than 15 percent above the average price charged in the 20 days prior to the order.

Business could apply for exemptions. Their price hikes would be defensible in court if the cost of providing goods or services had gone up, due to local or international conditions.

House lawmakers approved making the attorney general responsible for bringing complaints under the anti-gouging law.

In addition, courts would be allowed to suspend or revoke a business license or bar a business from operation if it engaged in price gouging, The Associated Press reported.

Richardson said in a written statement he was disappointed by the failure of the bill, saying, “New Mexicans still have no legal protection against predatory pricing during times of crisis.”

He said he would resurrect the proposal in January.