HM 66

1A MEMORIAL
2  REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO STUDY THE
3  FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A BORDER CROSSING FEE AT THE
4  SANTA TERESA PORT OF ENTRY; REQUESTING A REPORT.
5
6WHEREAS, the department of transportation is responsible
7  for the planning, development and maintenance of
8  transportation infrastructure that supports public safety,
9  economic development and regional mobility; and
10      WHEREAS, the Santa Teresa port of entry is one of the
11 fastest-growing international commercial crossings in the
12 United States and serves as a major economic gateway
13 connecting southern New Mexico to the state of Chihuahua,
14 Mexico, and the broader North American supply chain; and
15      WHEREAS, the Santa Teresa port of entry supports
16 international trade, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing,
17 agriculture and rail activity, generating significant
18 economic activity and heavy commercial traffic in Dona Ana
19 county and the surrounding region; and
20      WHEREAS, increased freight movement produces substantial
21 wear and maintenance demands on state highways, local roads
22 and supporting infrastructure serving the port of entry,
23 including pavement, intersections, safety improvements and
24 capacity upgrades; and
25      WHEREAS, continued growth of international trade through   HM 66
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1  the Santa Teresa port of entry will require long-term
2  sustainable funding sources to maintain and expand
3  transportation infrastructure necessary to protect public
4  safety and economic competitiveness; and
5WHEREAS, many transportation systems throughout the
6  United States and internationally employ user-based funding
7  mechanisms to offset infrastructure costs directly associated
8  with high-volume freight corridors and border crossings; and
9WHEREAS, a carefully structured border crossing user fee
10 could provide a dedicated funding stream for infrastructure
11 improvements, congestion reduction, safety enhancements and
12 trade facilitation projects benefiting residents, businesses
13 and commercial carriers; and
14WHEREAS, before consideration of any policy, the state
15 should evaluate legal authority, interstate commerce
16 considerations, international treaty implications,
17 operational logistics, economic competitiveness impacts and
18 administrative feasibility;
19NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
20 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the
21 department of transportation be requested to conduct a
22 comprehensive study regarding the feasibility of implementing
23 a border crossing user fee at the Santa Teresa port of entry;
24 and
25BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of  HM 66
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1  transportation's border crossing fee study evaluate:
2A.   the legal and constitutional authority for a
3  state-imposed border crossing fee;
4B.   the coordination with federal agencies,
5  including United States customs and border protection,
6  required to impose a border crossing fee;
7C.   the impacts of a border crossing fee on New
8  Mexico's trade competitiveness relative to other states with
9  border crossings with Mexico;
10D.   potential border crossing fee structure options
11 for commercial and noncommercial traffic and the estimated
12 annual revenue generation and administrative costs of such
13 fee structures;
14E.   the economic impacts a border crossing fee
15 would have on industry and the workforce in the Santa Teresa
16 region;
17F.   the transportation infrastructure needs
18 attributable to traffic from the Santa Teresa port of entry
19 anticipated over the next twenty years; and
20G.   options to dedicate either border crossing fee
21 or other revenues to road maintenance, safety improvements
22 and capacity expansion in the Santa Teresa trade corridor;
23 and
24BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the
25 department of transportation be requested to consult with  HM 66
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1  local governments, metropolitan planning organizations,
2  economic development organizations, industry stakeholders,
3  federal agencies and New Mexico's congressional delegation;
4  and
5BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of findings and
6  recommendations be presented to the appropriate interim
7  legislative committee by November 1, 2026; and
8BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
9  transmitted to the secretary of transportation, the governor,
10 the border authority and local governments within Dona Ana
11 county.  HM 66
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