New Mexico lawmakers have filed a bill that would challenge emissions standards passed by the state last year, Carlsbad Current-Argus reports.

The state’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) voted 3-2 this past November to require New Mexico auto dealers to provide electric or zero-emission vehicles in at least 42% of their inventory by model year 2027, which would increase to 82% by 2032.

In response, three lawmakers who serve oil and gas regions within the state pre-filed House Bill 76 before the 2024 legislative session in an attempt to repeal the decision made by the EIB.

“An unelected board should not make decisions that adversely affect the market and regulate the types of cars consumers can purchase,” argued Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54) of Artesia, a co-sponsor of the bill. “This decision is meant for elected representatives to discuss and debate in our State Capitol.”

Townsend said that issues such as accessibility of EVs in rural areas and inadequate charging infrastructure would need to be addressed before the EIB’s rules could proceed. Another co-sponsor, Rep. Larry Scott (R-62) of Hobbs, added that the demand for EVs is not yet strong enough and that many in the state cannot yet afford an EV.

House Republicans asserted in a recent press release that the cost to implement adequate charging infrastructure would cost state taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars–though the state has recently been granted around $68 million in federal grants to build new charging stations for EVs.