Panel expands educational equipment‑replacement fund to include radio and public schools, sends bill forward

Senate Bill 4 95 would amend the state’s educational television equipment replacement fund to include radio equipment and public schools as eligible recipients and to clarify that the fund is non‑reverting. Committee members voted to advance the measure.

Michael Brasher of KANW and supporters from other public broadcasting outlets said the fund is intended to cover expensive equipment replacement and interconnection needs that federal programs once supported but which no longer exist. Brasher said broadcast and translator equipment ages out and can create black spots in rural New Mexico; he described transmitter replacement costs cited in university analyses as examples of equipment needs.

Witnesses and the sponsor said the bill doesn’t itself appropriate money but expands who can apply for the fund, and that capital outlay or other appropriations would supply the replacement dollars in future budgets. Lenea Montoya of UNM said public radio stations at higher‑education institutions would benefit from the change. Higher Education Secretary’s staff told the committee the department administers similar non‑reverting funds for higher education and can manage the fund and award criteria.

Committee members asked how much money currently sits in the fund, and the Higher Education Secretary said she would follow up with that figure. Members also asked for clarity on whether the radio additions would be a large portion of requests; witnesses said radio needs are relatively small next to television replacement but could help preserve rural service. The committee voted to advance the bill.