HOUSE MEMORIAL 66

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Raymundo Lara and Jenifer Jones

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A BORDER CROSSING FEE AT THE SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY; REQUESTING A REPORT.

 

     WHEREAS, the department of transportation is responsible for the planning, development and maintenance of transportation infrastructure that supports public safety, economic development and regional mobility; and

     WHEREAS, the Santa Teresa port of entry is one of the fastest-growing international commercial crossings in the United States and serves as a major economic gateway connecting southern New Mexico to the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, and the broader North American supply chain; and

     WHEREAS, the Santa Teresa port of entry supports international trade, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, agriculture and rail activity, generating significant economic activity and heavy commercial traffic in Dona Ana county and the surrounding region; and

     WHEREAS, increased freight movement produces substantial wear and maintenance demands on state highways, local roads and supporting infrastructure serving the port of entry, including pavement, intersections, safety improvements and capacity upgrades; and

     WHEREAS, continued growth of international trade through the Santa Teresa port of entry will require long-term sustainable funding sources to maintain and expand transportation infrastructure necessary to protect public safety and economic competitiveness; and

     WHEREAS, many transportation systems throughout the United States and internationally employ user-based funding mechanisms to offset infrastructure costs directly associated with high-volume freight corridors and border crossings; and

     WHEREAS, a carefully structured border crossing user fee could provide a dedicated funding stream for infrastructure improvements, congestion reduction, safety enhancements and trade facilitation projects benefiting residents, businesses and commercial carriers; and

     WHEREAS, before consideration of any policy, the state should evaluate legal authority, interstate commerce considerations, international treaty implications, operational logistics, economic competitiveness impacts and administrative feasibility;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of transportation be requested to conduct a comprehensive study regarding the feasibility of implementing a border crossing user fee at the Santa Teresa port of entry; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of transportation's border crossing fee study evaluate:

          A. the legal and constitutional authority for a state-imposed border crossing fee;

          B. the coordination with federal agencies, including United States customs and border protection, required to impose a border crossing fee;

          C. the impacts of a border crossing fee on New Mexico's trade competitiveness relative to other states with border crossings with Mexico;

          D. potential border crossing fee structure options for commercial and noncommercial traffic and the estimated annual revenue generation and administrative costs of such fee structures;

          E. the economic impacts a border crossing fee would have on industry and the workforce in the Santa Teresa region;

          F. the transportation infrastructure needs attributable to traffic from the Santa Teresa port of entry anticipated over the next twenty years; and

          G. options to dedicate either border crossing fee or other revenues to road maintenance, safety improvements and capacity expansion in the Santa Teresa trade corridor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the department of transportation be requested to consult with local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, economic development organizations, industry stakeholders, federal agencies and New Mexico's congressional delegation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of findings and recommendations be presented to the appropriate interim legislative committee by November 1, 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of transportation, the governor, the border authority and local governments within Dona Ana county.

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