Staff Reports
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate unanimously approved a broadband affordability bill designed to help low-income New Mexicans receive high-speed internet Feb. 12.
Senate Bill 152, which would establish the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, cleared the upper house by a vote of 38-0.
“Our mission is more than delivering broadband to rural and remote parts of the state,” Jeff Lopez, director of the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, said. “It is critical that New Mexico families be able to afford high-speed internet. This bill will provide discounts to ensure that income doesn’t deter New Mexicans from getting access to broadband.”
SB 152 authorizes $10 million in broadband funding to help as many as 27,000 low-income families afford broadband service. The funding would come from the Public Regulation Commission’s State Rural Universal Service Fund, which by current statute, has $40 million specifically earmarked for broadband programs.
The legislation specifies that after the first year up to $45 million may be authorized to provide broadband subsidies.
SB 152 was introduced by Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Bernaillo, and cosponsored by Reps. Pamelya Herndon, D-Bernalillo, and Debra Sariñana (D-Bernaillo. It was prepared by OBAE in consultation with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
The legislation has already cleared both the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation and Senate Finance committees.
SB 152 has moved to the House and has been assigned to the Appropriations & Finance Committee.
