HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 29

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Anna M. Crook

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO REQUIRE DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO OFFER CUSTOMERS IN DESIGNATED MARKET AREAS THAT ARE CENTERED IN NEIGHBORING STATES THE OPTION OF RECEIVING LOCAL NETWORK BROADCAST PROGRAMMING THAT ORIGINATES IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE CUSTOMER RESIDES.

     WHEREAS, the direct broadcast satellite service providers that serve Curry county residents and much of eastern New Mexico do not offer any broadcast television programming originating in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, in part because Curry county is in the same designated market area as Amarillo, Texas, the only network broadcast television programs offered by direct broadcast satellite service providers originate in Amarillo; and

     WHEREAS, Curry county is located in a designated market area that, pursuant to federal law, is determined by Nielsen media research; and

     WHEREAS, the residents of Curry county, as well other counties on the eastern border of New Mexico, often have no other video news source than that offered by direct broadcast satellite service providers; and

     WHEREAS, local television news coverage of events not

only from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, but from other New Mexico cities as well, is vitally important to Curry county viewers; and

     WHEREAS, developments in New Mexico government, political offices and culture are often not newsworthy in Texas but are of immediate interest and importance to New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, as users of the public airwaves, and as a matter of public service, direct broadcast satellite service providers should be required to offer consumers the choice of receiving their news from within their state of residence;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that congress be requested to authorize the federal communications commission to require direct broadcast satellite service providers to offer customers in designated market areas that are centered in neighboring states the option of receiving local network broadcast programming that originates in the state in which the customer resides; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation and the federal communications commission.

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