Sections 1 through 7 [63-9K-1 to 63-9K-7 NMSA 1978] of this act may be cited as the “Connect New Mexico Act”. History: Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 1. ANNOTATIONS Effective dates. — Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 10 made Laws 2021, ch. 120, § 1 effective July 1, 2021.
As used in the Connect New Mexico Act: A. “2020 broadband plan” means the State of New Mexico Broadband Strategic Plan and Rural Broadband Assessment published by the department of information technology in June 2020; B. “broadband infrastructure” means any cable or device used for high-capacity transmission of a wide range of frequencies enabling a […]
A. The “connect New Mexico council” is created and administratively attached to the department. B. The council is composed of the following fifteen members: (1) the secretary of transportation or the secretary’s designee; (2) the secretary of economic development or the secretary’s designee; (3) the secretary of cultural affairs or the secretary’s designee; (4) the […]
The council shall: A. in consultation with the department, coordinate state agency broadband programs and broadband projects in accordance with the statewide broadband plan; B. evaluate and prioritize grant proposals and make grant awards from the connect New Mexico fund; and C. adopt rules establishing a competitive grant program to receive funds from the connect […]
A. The council shall consult local and tribal governments, public educational institutions and state agencies to develop a digital equity analysis and plan to address: (1) the challenges to digital inclusion that are posed by the lack of affordable quality service, broadband-enabled devices or the knowledge of how to use the devices effectively in different […]
A. The “connect New Mexico fund” is created in the state treasury. The fund consists of appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. Money in the fund is subject to appropriation by the legislature to the council for the purpose of administering the broadband grant program. Disbursements from the fund shall be made upon warrants drawn by […]
A. By October 1 of each year, the department, in coordination with the council, shall provide to the appropriate legislative interim committees a report on the access to and quality of service of broadband across the state. Information shall be provided on a county-by-county basis. B. The report shall contain the following information: (1) progress […]
