House Bill 49 being discussed in a committee meeting on Wednesday, January 29th. (Photo by Kayla Kuhn)

Politics & Government Statehouse Reporting Project

Reading between the lines: Advocates push for more closed captioning

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025

Kayla Kuhn

A bill that would require businesses to keep closed captions on for TVs during business hours is headed to the House Floor.

Advocates Joey Smith and Rosa Rey argue The Closed Captioning Act (HB 49) is essential for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, seniors, non-native English speaker and those in noisy environments.

State Rep. Cynthia Borrego (D-Albuquerque) previously introduced a similar bill and is pushing again this year.

While some worry about the cost, supporters say access should be a priority, emphasizing that captions would ensure equal access to critical information, especially during emergencies.

Kayla Kuhn

I’m a senior at the University of New Mexico, pursuing a degree in Journalism with a concentration in Multimedia Journalism. With a deep passion for sports broadcasting, my goal is to bring stories to life and connect with audiences through the world of sports.