Crystal Brantley, State Senator for New Mexico's District 35, announced her bill aimed at expanding telecommunications infrastructure to enhance public safety and connectivity in the state's border counties. The announcement was made through a press release on February 6.
"If you live or have driven through rural New Mexico, you know the struggle," said Brantley, Senator for NM District 35. "Connectivity for daily life can be a struggle, so imagine you are in an emergency with no way to contact emergency services. This is a common-sense measure to improve the lives and safety of all New Mexicans in the borderlands, from our law enforcement officers to our families."
According to the New Mexico Legislature, Senate Bill 51, titled Southern NM Communication Infrastructure, is sponsored by Senator Crystal Brantley, Representative Luis M. Terrazas, and Senator Gabriel Ramos. The bill seeks an appropriation of $3 million from the general fund to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration. This funding is intended for constructing cellular and radio towers in Doña Ana, Hidalgo, and Luna counties. The funds are designated for use in fiscal year 2026, with any unspent balance reverting to the general fund at the end of that fiscal year.
Improved telecommunications infrastructure is expected to ensure more reliable access to emergency services in rural areas where response times can be longer due to geographic isolation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports that reducing emergency response times by just one minute could save nearly 10,000 lives annually in the United States. In areas with limited cell coverage, residents and first responders may face communication challenges during emergencies, delaying medical, fire, and law enforcement assistance. Enhanced connectivity allows for more accurate location tracking during 911 calls, reducing the risk of responders arriving at incorrect locations.
Senator Brantley represents New Mexico's 35th District, which includes Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, and Socorro counties. Elected in 2020 as the first female and first Republican to hold this seat, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and Business from New Mexico State University. Before her political career, she served as director of the Sierra Soil & Water Conservation District and worked as an agricultural consultant.
