Committee unanimously approves $3 million for cell coverage along Southern New Mexico border after amendment extending spending window

The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of a bill appropriating $3 million to extend cellular coverage along the Southern New Mexico border.

Sponsor testimony explained the appropriation is intended to pay for cell radio towers and related infrastructure in areas of Dona Ana, Luna and Hidalgo counties that currently lack reliable cell or radio coverage. Legislators and local officials said the coverage gaps create public-safety risks for residents, first responders and rural law-enforcement officers who at times lack reliable communications in emergency situations.

Luna County Director of Public Safety Pablo Montoya and County Manager Chris Bryce described incidents in which dispatch or first responders could not make reliable connections, and a rancher recounted being unable to summon emergency medical help after a serious injury. The Department of Public Safety testified in support, citing the operational risks when communications fail.

Committee members discussed delivery options, ownership and anti-donation concerns; the sponsor said the bill would pass funds through the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration and that the committee had explored working with New Mexico Tech to plan and host infrastructure in a way that preserves public control and access. The committee adopted a friendly amendment extending the period during which the appropriation may be spent by one fiscal year (to FY2027) to account for deployment time and capacity.

Senator Sherr moved a do-pass on the bill as amended and Senator Sanchez seconded; the committee recorded a unanimous 10-0 vote to recommend passage. The bill will proceed to Senate Finance with the committee amendment.