The bill amends Section 63-9H-6 of the New Mexico Statutes to increase the funding allocated to the state rural universal service fund's broadband program from thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to forty million dollars ($40,000,000) less certain expenses. Additionally, it raises the cap on the total obligations of the fund, including administrative expenses and a prudent fund balance, from thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to forty million dollars ($40,000,000) per year. These changes aim to enhance the support for universal telecommunications services, particularly broadband access in rural and underserved areas.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the commission in administering the fund, including establishing eligibility criteria for telecommunications carriers, collecting surcharges, and ensuring equitable distribution of funds. It mandates that a significant portion of the support received by eligible telecommunications carriers must be used for deploying and maintaining broadband services in rural areas. Furthermore, the commission is required to report annually to the legislature on the fund's status and the effectiveness of the broadband program, with a specific assessment due in 2025 to evaluate potential repurposing of access reduction support funds into the broadband support program. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 63-9H-6