SENATE BILL 34

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

AN ACT

RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS; CREATING THE BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND--CREATED.--The "broadband infrastructure fund" is created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money appropriated by the legislature, federal money granted to the state for the purposes of the fund, income from investment of the fund and money otherwise accruing to the fund. Money in the fund shall not revert to any other fund at the end of a fiscal year. The department of information technology shall administer the fund, and money in the fund is appropriated to the department of information technology to provide fifty percent matching money for federal grants to bring broadband infrastructure to rural New Mexico, up to but not including infrastructure for retail customers. Money in the fund shall be disbursed on warrants signed by the secretary of finance and administration pursuant to vouchers signed by the secretary of information technology or the secretary's authorized representative.

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the broadband infrastructure fund for expenditure in fiscal year 2015 and subsequent fiscal years to match federal money for broadband infrastructure investments in rural New Mexico. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

     SECTION 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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