Organ Mountain News report

SANTA FE - The New Mexico House of Representatives has unanimously passed a bill that would expand the New Mexico Border Authority board and set new qualifications for its members as part of an effort to improve infrastructure and economic development in border communities.

House Bill 469, sponsored by House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara of Chamberino and House Speaker Javier Martínez of Albuquerque, would add two members to the Border Authority board and require that communities near ports of entry have representation. The bill also would establish minimum qualifications for the agency’s executive director.

The New Mexico Border Authority is a state agency that works to facilitate development of international ports of entry and promote trade, infrastructure, job creation and economic development in communities along the border.

“Our border communities deserve a voice in decisions directly impacting their local communities and economies,” Lara said. “These updates to the NMBA will also strengthen trade opportunities, job creation and state infrastructure improvements that will benefit all New Mexicans.”

Under the proposed changes, the secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation would be added to the board. The bill also requires that the governor’s appointees include a city councilor or mayor from a municipality within 15 miles of a port of entry and a county commissioner from a county that contains a port of entry.

The legislation outlines qualifications for the NMBA executive director, though details on those qualifications were not specified in the House floor debate.

Supporters say the board expansion is intended to make the agency more responsive to evolving economic and infrastructure needs in border communities, which play a key role in New Mexico’s trade and commerce.

House Bill 469 now heads to the Senate for consideration.