New Mexico Senate Bill Proposes Million Broadband Subsidy Funding

New Mexico Senate Introduces Million Broadband Assistance Bill to Enhance Connectivity for Low-Income Households

January 27, 2026 — Santa Fe, NM

In a significant move to enhance internet accessibility across New Mexico, State Senator Michael Padilla, a Democrat representing Bernalillo County, introduced a bill on Monday aimed at allocating million to assist low-income households with broadband service expenses. This initiative targets families facing financial barriers that hinder their ability to access essential online resources, particularly vital in today’s digitally-driven environment.

The proposed legislation, known as the Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, or Senate Bill 152, was developed in collaboration with the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC). The funding for this program is sourced from a larger pool of million designated for the State Rural Universal Service Fund, reinforcing the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide.

According to the provisions set forth in the bill, the PRC is directed to allocate million for broadband assistance during the first year of the program. In subsequent years, the commission may utilize up to million to expand affordability initiatives. This strategic approach highlights New Mexico’s proactive stance on broadband accessibility, particularly as many families grapple with the rising costs of internet service.

“New Mexico has embraced the importance of a robust high-speed broadband delivery strategy,” Padilla noted. “Fully funding an internet affordability program ensures all New Mexicans can thrive in the information age and access economic opportunities, healthcare options, and distance learning.”

The introduction of this bill coincides with the release of OBAE’s comprehensive three-year statewide broadband plan, which envisions achieving universal broadband access by 2029. This plan includes a proposal for a state affordability program that is intended to succeed the recently expired federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

The ACP previously provided internet discounts of per month to low-income households but ceased operations in April 2024, impacting over 180,000 families in New Mexico who relied on this financial support to reduce their monthly internet bills. The void left by the federal program underscores the urgent need for state-level interventions to ensure continued access to necessary online services.

While the specific structure and implementation details of the state’s subsidy program remain to be finalized by the PRC, its objective is clear: to make high-speed internet affordable and accessible for all New Mexico households. Jeff Lopez, the director of OBAE, emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “The biggest single barrier is affordability. This money would be used to provide broadband discounts to thousands of low-income families. Connecting New Mexicans is our main mission, but too many cannot afford high-speed internet, and we want to change that. Broadband is a utility, a necessity, and income should not limit access.”

This legislative action marks a critical step towards addressing the disparities in broadband access faced by low-income families in New Mexico, an issue increasingly recognized as essential for fostering economic growth and social equity in the state. As lawmakers continue to strive for equity in digital access, the success of Senate Bill 152 will be closely monitored, serving as a bellwether for similar initiatives across the nation.