HOUSE MEMORIAL 96

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

James E. Smith

A MEMORIAL

URGING NEW MEXICO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE IS GRANTED NO LESS THAN ITS PRO-RATA SHARE OF ANY FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING AND REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROADBAND TASK FORCE TO STUDY ALL PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FROM NEW MEXICO FOR BROADBAND STIMULUS FUNDING.

     WHEREAS, broadband telecommunications infrastructure is valuable to New Mexico's economic growth, academic achievements, public policy, health care and government services; and

     WHEREAS, the United States congress will soon deliberate on legislation promoting improvements to the development of infrastructure throughout the country, a significant portion of which may be dedicated to the expansion of broadband infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, many areas of New Mexico lack adequate broadband networks and services, particularly in rural and tribal areas; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of adequate broadband networks and services is a disadvantage to a large number of New Mexico communities and to Indian nations, tribes and pueblos compared to other communities or other states with better access to broadband services;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be urged to do all that is possible to ensure that any federal economic stimulus legislation include no less than a pro-rata share of stimulus funding for New Mexico for all infrastructures addressed in any forthcoming legislation, particularly for broadband telecommunications infrastructure development, where the need in rural and tribal areas may be even higher than in most other states; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a broadband task force be established, once federal economic stimulus legislation is enacted, to review all broadband stimulus grant proposals for New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives from the office of the governor, the public regulation commission, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties and other interested parties; provided that potential or actual broadband stimulus applicants be excluded; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the broadband task force be requested to endorse only those grants that directly contribute to the development of broadband infrastructures in New Mexico communities, rural areas and tribal lands that are deemed vital to filling in the many gaps of broadband coverage in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to report to the appropriate interim legislative committee the status of pending or awarded applications; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the New Mexico congressional delegation, the New Mexico legislative council, the governor, the chair of the public regulation commission, the New Mexico municipal league, the New Mexico association of counties and the all Indian pueblo council.

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