A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO COALITION FOR COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION PROVIDERS TO ADVISE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ABOUT EXISTING AND EMERGING COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES TO FOSTER ACCESS TO PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION.

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has a compelling interest in promoting education, economic growth, public health, public safety, democratic discourse and cultural expression and in improving communications between the public and public officials; and

WHEREAS, New Mexicans should have access to diverse information, educational voices, viewpoints and perspectives over telecommunications networks, including cable, broadcast, microwave and satellite systems, institutional networks, internet, video systems, streaming video and other advanced or emerging telecommunications; and

WHEREAS, the convergence of various media and the explosion in overall telecommunications capacity has eliminated many distinctions among the types of telecommunications services; and

WHEREAS, public, educational and governmental access to telecommunications services is an appropriate form of compensation to the state, local and tribal governments for use of public rights of way; and

WHEREAS, public access to telecommunications services is assuming a greater role in the dissemination of information at the state and local levels as a means of providing the public with safety and emergency information, and in fostering civic inclusion that builds cohesive communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico coalition of community access television providers be requested to provide local governments with information regarding access to existing and emerging telecommunications technology through public, educational and governmental access channels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the director of the New Mexico coalition of

community access television providers, the chief information

officer of the state of New Mexico, the New Mexico commission

on public broadcasting, the state department of public

education and the commission on higher education.