Bill > SB152

This bill establishes a new Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program and restructures the existing broadband program within New Mexico's telecommunications laws, specifically amending the Rural Telecommunications Act of New Mexico. Key provisions include creating a program to ensure affordable telecommunications services for eligible low-income households, which will complement federal programs like Lifeline and use national databases for verification, and will provide assistance to students at risk, those in need-based programs, or federal Lifeline recipients. The bill also revises the broadband program to fund the construction and maintenance of rural broadband infrastructure, requiring applications to be submitted to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion for prioritization and alignment with the statewide broadband plan, and mandates tribal consent for projects on sovereign lands. It repeals the old Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act and introduces budget caps for the State Rural Universal Service Fund, allocating specific amounts for access reduction support, the broadband program, and the new low-income assistance program, with the latter having a significant increase in funding in subsequent years. The bill also requires annual reports from the Public Regulation Commission to legislative committees detailing the status and expenditures of these programs, including recommendations for future modifications.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=152&year=26