Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the Legislature. LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they
are used for other purposes.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR
Armstrong/Vincent/Jones/Thomson/Hoch
man-Vigil
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 3/8/2025
SHORT TITLE
Emergency Medical Svcs. Licensure
Compact
BILL
NUMBER House Bill 412
ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
HCA No fiscal impact
Indeterminate
but minimal
Indeterminate
but minimal
Recurring
Other state
funds
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)
Department of Health (DOH)
Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Health Care Authority (HCA)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Bill 412
House Bill 412 (HB412) enacts the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel Licensure
Interstate Compact to facilitate the movement across state lines of EMS personnel. Sections 1 to
5 cover the purpose of the compact, which is to improve access to EMS personnel through
mutual recognition of state licenses. Obtaining a license under the compact would require an
unrestricted home license, and the licensee would be subject to the laws of the remote state.
Section 6 discusses when EMS transports to or from a remote state, or to or from a home state,
and other approved situations. Section 7 ensures compatibility with the Emergency Management
Assistance Compact (EMAC) during a disaster. Section 8 expedites licensure for military
members. Section 9 outlines how adverse actions against a licensee is handled. Section 10
authorizes participating states to issue subpoenas and such. Section 11 establishes an oversight
commission staffed with delegates from participating states. Section 12 creates an integrated
database which contains licensure, adverse actions, and information on investigations of all
licensees practicing under the Compact. Section 13 details rulemaking authority. Section 14
provides mechanisms for dispute resolution between the states and enforcement of rules; Section
15 specifies that implementation will begin when adopted by the tenth state; and Section 16 says
the compact is to be liberally construed and remain in effect even if parts have been invalidated. House Bill 412 – Page 2
This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
Legislature adjourns if enacted, or June 20, 2025.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
Emergency Medical Services personnel are licensed in the state by the Department of Health.
The Health Care Authority notes that EMS personnel from compact states would be required to
enroll as a New Mexico Medicaid provider and follow all applicable provider requirements to be
reimbursed.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
The EMS compact has been operational since 2020 and is in effect in 24 states. By March 15,
2025, all participating states must comply with federal criminal background check requirements.
The bill enters New Mexico into an interstate licensing compact for EMS personnel. Benefits
include EMS personnel working across state lines without the need for multiple licenses. This
could be especially important for border regions and emergency operations. Compacts can help
ensure that participating states uphold similar education, training, and certification requirements.
For New Mexico to participate in this compact, the Legislature would need to pass this
legislation without any substantive changes and implement a criminal background reporting
requirement.
DOH remarks all levels of EMT and paramedic education in New Mexico are required to
originate from EMS educational programs that have received national accreditation. The bill is
not clear in that regard. Additionally, there is no notification requirement for an individual
exercising their privilege to practice in New Mexico, which is not consistent with other caregiver
compacts, such as the nursing compact, which requires notification of the licensing and
regulatory entity.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
DOH explains that under 7.27.2.10 NMAC, individuals licensed or certified in another state may
currently apply for an EMS license. Individuals holding a certification with the national registry
of EMTs at any level must also be licensed or certified by a state to be eligible for reciprocity.
HCA also comments administrative rule requires New Mexico Medicaid cover medically
necessary services by providers within 100 miles of the border to the same extent and using the
same coverage rules as for an in-state provider. Further, New Mexico Medicaid covers more than
100 geographical miles outside the border using the same coverage rules as for an in-state
provider when the delivery of services is an emergency. EMS falls within this provision.
OTHER SUBSTANT IVE ISSUES
DOH cautions the bill could inadvertently exacerbate staffing challenges for EMS in New
Mexico, if wages or working conditions are perceived to be more favorable in \compact states.
AHO/hg/rl