New Mexico Broadband Affordability Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

A broadband affordability bill designed to help as many as 27,000 low-income New Mexicans receive high-speed internet is now on its way to the governor’s desk. The New Mexico House passed Senate Bill 152, which would establish the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program. The House vote was 48-14. SB 152 authorizes $10 million in broadband funding to help low-income families afford broadband service. The funding would come from the State Rural Universal Service Fund, administered by the Public Regulation Commission, which has $40 million specifically earmarked for broadband programs by statute. The legislation specifies that after the first year up to $45 million may be authorized to provide broadband subsidies. That could mean more than 100,000 low-income families would receive broadband assistance.