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House committee gives do‑pass to bill funding broadband affordability pilot
Summary
A House committee voted to give House Bill 3 23 a do‑pass recommendation after hearing testimony that $5 million could fund a technology‑neutral pilot to subsidize broadband affordability for low‑income, rural and tribal communities; members questioned federal BEAD allocations and the role of satellite providers such as Starlink.
A House committee on Friday recommended a do‑pass for House Bill 3 23, which would appropriate $5,000,000 from the general fund to expand broadband access and affordability for low‑income residents, small towns and tribal trust lands.
Representative Pamela Herndon introduced the bill, saying it would target “low income persons, unincorporated communities, or in a city, town, or incorporated area with a population of 20,000 or less.” Jeff Lopez, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, told the committee that “broadband affordability is the single largest barrier to broadband access in New Mexico.”
The bill’s $5 million would be intended to support subsidized rates or grants to improve affordability rather than directly fund…
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