The bill amends the Rural Telecommunications Act of New Mexico to create a Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, aimed at providing affordable telecommunications access for eligible low-income households by January 1, 2027. This program will work alongside existing federal initiatives, such as the Lifeline program, and will include quality of service standards, reimbursement mechanisms for telecommunications carriers, and criteria for household eligibility based on factors like student status and participation in need-based assistance programs. The bill also establishes budget caps for the state rural universal service fund, limiting total obligations to $18 million for access reduction support, $12 million for the broadband program, and $10 million for the first year of the low-income program, which will increase to $45 million in subsequent years.

Additionally, the bill restructures the existing broadband program and repeals the Low Income Telephone Service Assistance Act, allowing the commission to enforce participation in low-income assistance programs under the Rural Telecommunications Act. It introduces new definitions related to telecommunications services, such as "digital equity" and "digital inclusion," and establishes the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion to oversee these initiatives. The bill also modifies surcharges related to 911 emergency services and telecommunications relay services, ensuring they do not apply to subscribers receiving assistance through the new low-income program. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance telecommunications access and affordability for low-income residents in New Mexico, particularly in underserved and unserved areas.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 63-9A-5, 63-9D-5, 63-9F-11, 63-9H-4, 63-9H-6