STUDY SANTA TERESA BORDER CROSSING FEE

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