SANTA FE, N.M.
(KRQE) – New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham has approved the bipartisan Broadband for Education Act (SB401), which will shift management of the Statewide Education Network (SEN) to the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE). This move aims to enhance internet connectivity for students across New Mexico as well as those living in rural areas.
All employees, resources, initiatives, and activities related to SEN will be moved from the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) to the state’s broadband office. The SEN broadband infrastructure initiative was initiated in July 2024. Numerous schools have already been linked via this network, with aims to connect every school in New Mexico by 2027.
This legislation guarantees that all New Mexico students have access to high-quality broadband, simultaneously assisting schools in obtaining federal funds,” stated IT Secretary and OBAE Acting Director Manny Barreras. “This initiative will expand various school-focused broadband programs, thereby enhancing internet connectivity for nearby rural areas.
The bill was jointly sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla, who serves as the Majority Whip, along with Senator Nicole Tobiassen, Representatives Debra Sarinana, Tara Lujan, and Joy Garratt.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.
To stay updated with the most recent news, weather forecasts, sports updates, and live videos, visit KRQE NEWS 13 – Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.