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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

General Services Department

State Department of Education

Commission on Higher Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 3 requests the New Mexico Coalition for community Access Television Providers to advise local governments with regard to existing and emerging communication technology for the propose of promoting, advocating, coordinating and fostering access to public, educational and government information.

Significant Issues

The State Department of Education (SDE) staff comments:

On February 8, 1996, President Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Act updated the Communications Act of 1934 and provided a new, national policy framework that relies on competition and market forces to advance the deployment of communications infrastructures throughout the country. The Act includes special provisions for public schools and libraries.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 directs the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to devise a discount plan for basic services for public schools and libraries as well as a plan to increase the deployment of high capacity services for their use. The Act requires the FCC and each state telecommunications commission to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans and, in particular, elementary and secondary schools and classrooms by utilizing price cap regulation, regulatory forbearance, measures that promote competition, or other regulating methods that remove barriers to infrastructure investment. Advance telecommunications capability is defined as high-speed, switched, broadband telecommunications capability that enables users to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications. The New Mexico Coalition for Community Access Television Providers could aid the State Department of Education, local districts, and schools in understanding the charging landscape of telecommunications regulations, services, opportunities, and advancements that have presented themselves since the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

GSD staff simply states SJM3 could assist local governments and schools in better understanding complex compatibility and other telecommunications issues. Improved understanding would maximize the utility of all telecommunication equipment. An example is the federal mandate for all communications equipment to be upgraded from analog to digital technology by 2003, including public and private organizations.

RELATIONSHIP

House Capital Request 37 for $11 million non-recurring general fund appropriated to GSD would continue the process of converting the state's permanent communications system of radio towers from analog to digital and to interface with other agency radio equipment.

WJC/prr:lrs