Each operator of a pipeline or pipelines operated in the state of New Mexico for the transportation of crude oil, natural gas or the products derived therefrom shall, during the month of July, obtain a license for the operation of such pipeline. Application for such license shall be made upon a form to be provided by the corporation commission [public regulation commission] and shall be accompanied by the license fee determined as hereinafter provided. On receipt of such application and license fee, the corporation commission [public regulation commission] shall issue a license to the applicant for the current fiscal year. All license fees so collected shall be paid to the state treasurer, and by him credited to the general fund.
SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL LICENSE FEES
A basic fee of five hundred dollars ($500) and in addition fees computed in accordance with the following schedule:
$13.00 per mile for the first 50 miles;
$7.00 per mile for the next 25 miles;
$4.00 per mile for the next 25 miles;
$1.00 per mile for each mile in excess of 100 miles;
$18.00 per mile for the first 25 miles;
$13.00 per mile for the next 25 miles;
$9.00 per mile for the next 25 miles;
$6.00 per mile for the next 25 miles;
$2.00 per mile for each mile in excess of 100 miles.
For purposes of determining the license fees payable under the provisions of this Subsection B, any pipeline owned by two or more persons, firms or corporations shall be considered to be a separate pipeline operation to be licensed as such in the name of the operator or owners thereof. The basic fee to be paid in the licensing of such lines under the foregoing fee schedule shall be:
$500 on lines less than twenty inches in diameter;
$850 on lines twenty inches or more in diameter.
NMS § 70-3-2