New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SB152: LOW-INCOME TELECOMM. ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Status: Signed into law, March 5, 2026
What the bill says
An act relating to telecommunications; amending the rural telecommunications act of new mexico to establish a low-income telecommunications assistance program and restructure the existing broadband program; making conforming and clean-up amendments; requiring reports; establishing state rural universal service fund budget caps; repealing the low income telephone service assistance act; amending, repealing and enacting sections of the nmsa 1978.
From the enrolled text, March 6, 2026:
AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS; AMENDING THE RURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF NEW MEXICO TO ESTABLISH A LOW-INCOME TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND RESTRUCTURE THE EXISTING BROADBAND PROGRAM; MAKING CONFORMING AND CLEAN-UP AMENDMENTS; REQUIRING REPORTS; ESTABLISHING STATE RURAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND BUDGET CAPS; REPEALING THE LOW INCOME TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE ACT; AMENDING, REPEALING AND ENACTING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO: SECTION 1. Section 63-9A-5 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1985, Chapter 242, Section 5, as amended) is amended to read: "63-9A-5. REGULATION BY COMMISSION.-- A. Except as otherwise provided in the New Mexico Telecommunications Act, each public telecommunications service is declared to be affected with the public interest and, as such, subject to the provisions of that act, including the regulation thereof as provided in that act. B. Except in cases regarding the fixing of rates pursuant to Section 63-7-1.1 NMSA 1978, the commission has exclusive jurisdiction to regulate incumbent local exchange carriers that serve fifty thousand or more access lines within the state to the extent authorized by the New Mexico Telecommunications Act; provided that: SFC/SB Page (1) the commission's jurisdiction includes the regulation of wholesale rates, including access charges and interconnection agreements consistent with federal law and its enforcement and determinations of participation in low-income telephone service assistance programs …
Sponsors
- Michael Padilla (D, SD-014) · primary sponsor
- Pamelya Herndon (D, HD-028)
- Debra M. Sariñana (D, HD-021)
Latest actions
- : Signed by Governor - Chapter 34 - Mar. 5
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:48 N:14
- : HAFC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HAFC - Referrals: HAFC
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:38 N:0
- : SFC: Reported by committee with Do Not Pass but with a Do Pass recommendation on Committee Substitution
- : STBTC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SCC: Reported by committee to fall within the purview of a 30 day session
- : Sent to SCC - Referrals: SCC/STBTC/SFC
Votes
- House Floor Vote (February 18, 2026): 48 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Senate Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 38 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: UTILITIES (sewer, electric, gas, water, telephone), PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (programs)
Common questions
- What is SB152?
- SB152 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): LOW-INCOME TELECOMM. ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
- What does SB152 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to telecommunications; amending the rural telecommunications act of new mexico to establish a low-income telecommunications assistance program and restructure the existing broadband program; making conforming and clean-up amendments; requiring reports; establishing state rural universal service fund budget caps; repealing the low income telephone service assistance act; amending, repealing and enacting sections of the nmsa 1978.
- What is the status of SB152?
- Signed into law as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Signed by Governor - Chapter 34 - Mar. 5 (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB152?
- Michael Padilla (D, SD-014), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB152?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=B&legNo=152&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.