[1st-mile-nm] BB Bills at the NM Legislature

[Richard Lowenberg]

News: Broadband bills have or are moving through the Legislature, and
some now await the Governor's signature.   Stay tuned for updates.
RL
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Legislature acts on broadband internet access bills

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/legislature/broadband-internet-bills-surf-through-legislature/article_46015547-5421-5d4a-8429-0f174f06df55.html

Posted: Monday, March 6, 2017
By Bruce Krasnow, The New Mexican

New Mexico lawmakers are delivering on a promise to improve one of the 
state’s last-in-the-country rankings — the speed of broadband internet.

Several bills are moving through the Legislature, and two have cleared 
the Senate and House of Representatives and are heading to Gov. Susana 
Martinez for her consideration. Each would make it easier to expand 
broadband internet to underserved rural areas where the sparse 
population makes it difficult for companies to recoup their costs.

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The Associated Press
March 03, 2017 06:15 PM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Legislation designed to expand broadband internet 
access to the farthest reaches of New Mexico is headed to the governor 
for consideration.

The state Senate approved a trio of bills Friday designed to accelerate 
expansion of broadband infrastructure.

One bill is being sent to Republican Gov. Susana Martinez that would 
ensure an opportunity to insert broadband conduit underground any time 
trenches are dug to access utility lines.

Final House approval still is pending on a bill that would shore up a 
fund overseen by the Public Regulation Commission to spur investment in 
broadband infrastructure projects. That bill could change the current 5 
percent charge on telephone-service bills to a flat rate.

A third broadband bill seeks to attract federal funding for broadband 
projects and help connect Native American tribes.



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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org     www.1st-mile.org
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