S 97 STATE LAND BROADBAND EASEMENTS

Sen Michael Padilla

Actions: SPREF [1] STBTC/SJC-STBTC [8] DNP-CS/DP-SJC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 Senate Bill 97 (SB 97) authorizes the commissioner of public lands to grant rights of way and easements across state lands for infrastructure used for broadband internet services in Section 19-7-57 NMSA 1978 and grants the State Transportation Commission the same authority for such installation along, across, over or under public highways in Section 67-3-12 NMSA 1978. It authorizes the commissioner or the state transportation commission to waive fees or leasing costs for infrastructure that is to be used primarily to provide broadband internet services to unserved or underserved locations as defined in the Connect New Mexico Act.  

 Senate Bill 97 (SB 97) authorizes the commissioner of public lands to grant rights of way and easements across state lands for infrastructure used for broadband internet services in Section 19-7-57 NMSA 1978 and grants the State Transportation Commission the same authority for such installations along, across, over or under public highways in Section 67-3-12 NMSA 1978. It authorizes the commissioner or the state transportation commission to waive fees or leasing costs for infrastructure that is to be used primarily to provide broadband internet services to unserved or underserved locations as defined in the Connect New Mexico Act. 

 The Connect New Mexico Act, signed into law in 2021, established the Connect New Mexico Fund and the Connect New Mexico Council, the latter distributes state-funded grants for broadband infrastructure throughout the state and enacts and enforces oversight and accountability requirements. This 2021 act also increased the annual distribution for broadband infrastructure from the State Rural Universal Service Fund.  The fifteen-member council oversaw 130 million dollars ($130,000,000) in broadband grant and infrastructure appropriations during the first year of its existence.