[1st-mile-nm] Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and development

[Richard Lowenberg]

Gov. Lujan Grisham signs measures advancing broadband connection and 
development

Apr 7, 2021 | Press Releases
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/2021/04/07/gov-lujan-grisham-signs-measures-advancing-broadband-connection-and-development/

SANTA FE – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday signed a pair of 
measures moving the state one step closer to providing New Mexico with 
the broadband capacity to connect all New Mexicans to reliable, 
high-speed internet.

Senate Bill 93 establishes an Office of Broadband Access and Expansion 
to centralize and coordinate broadband activities across state 
government agencies, local governmental bodies, tribal governmental 
organizations and internet service providers. The Office of Broadband 
will be responsible for developing a three-year broadband strategic and 
operational plan providing guiding principles and operational criteria 
for significant broadband deployment and expansion for New Mexico.

House Bill 10 establishes the Connect New Mexico Fund and the Connect 
New Mexico Council, which will provide state grant funding for broadband 
infrastructure statewide and conduct and enact oversight and 
accountability requirements; the legislation also significantly 
increases the annual distribution for broadband infrastructure from the 
State Rural Universal Service Fund.

The broadband office will conduct statewide meetings for the purpose of 
gathering recommendations and feedback on how to best move forward with 
existing stakeholder plans for broadband expansion for all New Mexicans.

The Connect New Mexico Council will consist of 15 members who will 
oversee $130 million in broadband grant and infrastructure 
appropriations made in the 2021 session.

Sponsors of the two measures included Sen. Michael Padilla, Sen. Liz 
Stefanics, Rep. Natalie Figueroa, Rep. Joy Garratt, Rep. Susan Herrera, 
Rep. Candie Sweetser and Rep. Christine Chandler.

“The pandemic has underscored the urgent need for reliable internet 
access for every single student and family and business,” said Gov. 
Lujan Grisham. “We must and we will provide every New Mexican with 
quality and affordable broadband service, and these measures advance the 
subject.”

“Today marks a giant step forward for New Mexico,” said Sen. Michael 
Padilla. “The Office of Broadband Access and Expansion will help 
centralize and coordinate our efforts to build out a broadband 
infrastructure that will bring economic development, distance learning 
and telehealth delivery across the state, including some of the hardest 
to reach areas. And, this office could help generate close to a billion 
dollars in federal funding for New Mexico – critical dollars that will 
go toward ensuring comprehensive coverage and the best use of the latest 
technologies. Thank you Governor Lujan Grisham for signing this 
important legislation.”

“A centralized and focused effort to deliver broadband across New Mexico 
will be an economic driver for business owners, remote workers, and 
companies looking to relocate to New Mexico and invest in new 
technologies, “ said Economic Development Secretary Alicia J. Keyes.

“The digital divide is nothing new, but the pandemic made it clear that 
closing it must be a priority for New Mexico if we’re going to honor our 
commitment to provide every child with a full and equitable education,” 
said Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart. “Through public-private 
partnerships, we narrowed the divide considerably this year by getting 
many school children the access they needed to digital devices and 
high-speed internet. With this legislation, we’re on the path to close 
that divide once and for all.”

“The pandemic exposed the tremendous need for communications 
infrastructure in our rural and tribal communities,” said Indian Affairs 
Secretary Lynn Trujillo. “Broadband access will help our students 
succeed, local businesses thrive, and will ensure vital information 
reaches every citizen in our state.”

“I look forward to working closely with the council members in 
formulating a broadband framework plan that encompasses strategic 
planning, program oversight, and grant award methodologies,” said 
Information and Technology Secretary John Salazar. “Many members of the 
legislature on both sides of the aisle worked diligently over the past 
year to understand the challenges we face in bringing broadband to New 
Mexico and ensure passage of this much-needed legislation. We look 
forward to working with them and stakeholders from a wide range of 
communities in the months ahead to ensure every New Mexican can get the 
reliable and affordable internet access they need and deserve.”

The governor on Wednesday also signed Senate Bill 204, sponsored by Sen. 
Michael Padilla, to provide access to the State Rural Universal Services 
Fund to Sacred Wind Communications, which delivers broadband access to 
the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
---------------------------------------------------------------