House Bill 16: The Rural Opportunities Act

Creating equity for all New Mexicans

February 9, 2021 | From the Office of Representative Roger Montoya

SANTA FE–Tomorrow, February 9, 2021, the House Local Government, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee will hear House Bill 16, the Rural Opportunities Committee Act at 9 AM.

According to Representative Montoya and 2019 CNN Hero, “House Bill 16 will work to address the severe disparity between rural and urban communities in New Mexico.” This act will have a significant impact on the quality of life for rural New Mexicans which have been all too forgotten especially during this challenging period of COVID-19.

This legislation would authorize the creation of a 14-member ‘super’ Interim Committee, the “Rural Opportunity Committee.”  With membership coming from interim and session committees, this committee will develop measurable and quantifiable legislative proposals to ensure access for every New Mexican to running water, wastewater treatment services, electricity, and broadband internet.

Representative Montoya and his team have listened and crafted this bill after countless meetings with diverse leaders all across New Mexico, including: Chairwoman Patty Lundstrom of House Appropriations and Finance; Senator Pete Campos (NM-8); Chairman Moe Maestas of House Commerce and Economic Development; Chairwoman Angelica Rubio of House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements; Chairman Derrick Lente of House Water and Agricultural Resources; Representative Susan Herrera (NM-41); Mayor Dianna Trujillo of Anthony, NM, Mayor Boe Lopez of Springer, NM; Mayor Pro Tem Rebecca Ramirez of Springer, NM; Superintendent of Mora Independent Schools Marvin McCauley; Richard Lewis of the Navajo Nation and countless others.

Co-Sponsors include Representatives Candie Sweetser (NM-32), Tara Lujan (NM-48), and Ambrose Castellano (NM-70).

Conversely, tomorrow will be a first as a documentary on HB 16 debuts within the committee (the of its kind).  Please view and share this impactful video as we bring equitable policies to rural New Mexicans.