A new law that could expand the number of drivers using alcohol-detecting devices in their cars is among various measures that took effect Wednesday in New Mexico.

Current law calls for installing an ignition interlock in an offender's car after a DWI conviction. The driver is required to breathe into a tube before the car's engine will start.

Under the new law, a driver whose license is revoked because of a DWI will have to keep the device in place for a minimum of six months before regular driving privileges are restored.

"If you've been revoked for DWI, if there was sufficient evidence in the field to pull your license at the time, you're going to have to have a way to get an interlock for six months," bill sponsor Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque, said. "I think we all win on this one."

The law is one of several legal changes with July 1 effective dates.

Others include:

• A gross-receipts tax levy on most goods and services sold in Santa Fe County and several other Northern New Mexico counties will help fund transit operations. Half of the revenue from Santa Fe County will go toward Rail Runner Express train operations, along with revenue from the tax of about 13 cents per $100 spent in Bernalillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties. The added money won't bring an immediate expansion of rail service, however. Similar tax levies in Taos, San Miguel and Rio Arriba counties will fund bus operations.

•  A state budget provision that makes government employees boost their pension contributions by 1.5 percent of their salary. The measure reduces the public's contribution to those pensions by the same amount for the next two years, in an effort to save $42 million a year. Several unions have filed a lawsuit over the change and a hearing is pending.

•  An increase in electric rates that will boost monthly bills by about $2.33 for the average residential customer. Public Service Company of New Mexico customers in Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Valencia and Sandoval counties will be affected by the new rates, as will customers in Clayton, Deming and Las Vegas. The company says the new rate, which was approved by the state Public Regulation Commission, will, among other things, reflect higher interest costs and the addition of new power sources to serve customers. Some business and commercial customers also may see a rate increase depending on their customer class.

•  A measure that abolishes the death penalty in New Mexico and replaces it with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

•  A law that puts a lien on a gambler's winnings from a racetrack gaming machine of more than $1,200 if the person owes child support.

•  A law that boosts penalties for stealing or receiving a stolen car. Under current law, the crime calls for a year in prison. Under the new measure, the penalty is a maximum of nine years behind bars. In addition, repeat offenders will face increased penalties.

•  A law that adds cyber stalking to the state's current stalking laws.

u A measure that requires employers to give leave to employees who are domestic-abuse victims so they can attend court hearings and meet with law-enforcement officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.