SB 126 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

INCREASE RURAL SERVICE FUND ALLOCATIONS

SB 126 increases funding for New Mexico's State Rural Universal Service Fund, raising the annual allocation for broadband programs from $30 million to $40 million (after expenses). It directly affects rural broadband providers and unserved/underserved communities by providing more financial support to deploy and maintain internet access in rural areas. The bill requires recipients of fund support to spend at least 60% of their funds on broadband deployment and maintenance in rural regions, as defined by the state commission. This amendment to existing law aims to expand affordable broadband access without changing how the fund is collected or administered.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed Apr 9, 2025

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What changed between versions

introduced version → Final Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly increased the funding for New Mexico's broadband program, raising the allocation from $30 million to $40 million. It also reorganized the State Rural Universal Service Fund with clearer definitions, expanded eligibility criteria, and stricter requirements for how funds must be used to deploy broadband in rural areas.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the universal service fund by clarifying what services qualify, adding exemptions for government and tribal entities, and requiring carriers receiving support to spend at least 60% of funds on rural broadband deployment.

FISCAL

Increased the annual allocation from the State Rural Universal Service Fund from $30 million to $40 million to support broadband expansion.

DEFINITION

Added a clear definition of 'universal service' to include basic local exchange service, low-income assistance plans, and broadband access for unserved and underserved areas.

EXEMPTIONS

Explicitly exempted the surcharge from applying to government entities, public schools, higher education institutions, and Native American customers on tribal land.

REQUIREMENT

Requires eligible carriers receiving fund support to spend at least 60% of those funds on deploying and maintaining broadband internet access services in rural areas.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded eligibility to allow competitive carriers to petition for designation as eligible telecommunications carriers in rural areas if it serves the public interest.

ENFORCEMENT

Mandates annual reporting by carriers to verify compliance with fund requirements and establishes rules for fund usage restrictions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Mar 21, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 4 other

Total votes 40

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic24

22 Yea 2

91% Yea

R Republican16

14 Yea 2

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2025

Signed into law

Signed

executive

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

passed House

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Commerce & Economic Development Committee & House Appropriations & Finance Committee

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee & Senate Finance Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors