Summary#

HM 66, “Study Santa Teresa Border Crossing Fee,” is an enacted House memorial, not a law that imposes a fee. It asks the New Mexico Department of Transportation (DOT) to study whether a fee at the Santa Teresa port of entry would be feasible; it does not amend an existing Act or create a fee. Its stated goal is to examine possible funding for transportation needs linked to traffic at the crossing.

• DOT is asked to study the legal and constitutional authority for a state fee, and the federal-agency coordination that would be needed, including with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• The study is asked to compare possible fee structures for commercial and noncommercial traffic, including estimated annual revenue and administrative costs.
• It is also asked to assess trade competitiveness, effects on regional industries and workers, and transportation needs tied to crossing traffic over the next 20 years.
• DOT is asked to consider whether fee revenue or other revenue could be dedicated to road maintenance, safety improvements, and added capacity in the Santa Teresa trade corridor.
• DOT is asked to consult local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, economic development organizations, industry stakeholders, federal agencies, and New Mexico’s congressional delegation, and to present findings and recommendations to an interim legislative committee by November 1, 2026.

What it means for you#

• Drivers and commercial carriers: The memorial does not charge you a fee or change how you cross the border. It asks DOT to study possible fee options for both commercial and noncommercial traffic.
• Businesses and workers in the Santa Teresa region: The study is asked to assess possible effects on regional industries and the workforce. The memorial does not change jobs, trade rules, or business costs.
• DOT and consulted organizations: DOT is asked to do the study and consult the named groups. The memorial does not set out a study method, decision process, or rules for how the groups must take part.
• Taxpayers and the public: The memorial does not create a fee or direct that money be spent on road projects. It asks for a report that could inform later decisions.

Money#

No publicly available information gives the cost of the study or any funding for it.

• The memorial sets no fee amount and gives no estimate of actual revenue or administrative costs. It asks DOT to estimate those for possible fee structures.
• It identifies no appropriation, staffing level, or other budget for the study.
• It does not dedicate any existing or future revenue to transportation projects; it asks DOT to examine options.

What is unclear#

• The memorial does not define “border crossing user fee” or choose who would pay, how much, or when.
• It does not say how a fee might be collected or how federal coordination would work.
• It does not set out how DOT should measure economic effects, compare fee options, or involve the groups it is asked to consult.
• It does not say what funding or staff DOT will use, or what happens if the requested report is not presented by the requested date.
• The memorial requests a study and report; it does not require lawmakers or agencies to adopt any recommendation.

Case for#

• A possible argument for the study is that it could give lawmakers information before they consider a fee, including whether the state has legal authority to impose one.
• Comparing possible revenue with administrative costs could help show whether a fee is practical.
• Assessing road needs and possible effects on trade, businesses, and workers could help identify trade-offs before any fee is proposed.
• Considering whether revenue could support roads, safety, or added capacity could connect possible payments with the transportation needs named in the memorial.

Case against#

• The memorial does not require a fee, but studying one could use DOT staff time; it gives no cost estimate or study budget.
• A study may not resolve the legal, federal-coordination, or trade questions. The memorial sets no method for evaluating them.
• It is unclear how DOT will ensure that businesses, workers, carriers, and other consulted groups are represented or how their input will affect the recommendations.
• Even if the study finds a fee feasible, the memorial does not specify who would pay or how the money would be used.