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
Sens. Trujillo, Sedillo Lopez, and
Figueroa
/Rep. Herndon
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/25/2025
SHORT TITLE Social Work Licensure Compact
BILL
NUMBER Senate Bill 105
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
RLD $40.0 $40.0 Nonrecurring
Other state
funds
RLD $8.0 $8.0 $16.0 Recurring
Other state
funds
Total $48.0 $8.0 $56.0
Other state
funds
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Relates to House Bills 79, 81, 82, 110, and 217 and Senate Bills 46 and 104
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis Received From
Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)
Department of Health (DOH)
Public Education Department (PED)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Senate Bill 105
Senate Bill 105 (SB105) enters New Mexico into the Social Work Interstate Compact (SW
compact) to facilitate interstate practice for social workers. The compact preserves the regulatory
authority of states; promotes mobility to address workforce shortages; facilitates the exchange of
licensure and disciplinary information between states; enhances cooperation in regulating social
workers by sharing discipline information; and allows for use of telehealth to increase access.
Participating states may charge fees for granting a multistate license. If an applicant is eligible,
the licensee’s home state may issue a multistate license that authorizes a licensee to practice in
all participating states. To maintain membership in the SW compact, states select one delegate to
serve on the Social Work Licensure Compact Commission. The commission will develop and
maintain a coordinated database and reporting system to which participating states would submit
a uniform data set of licensee information. Criteria for state participation includes criminal
history background check licensure requirement. The compact grants power to the home state to
investigate violations by licensees from other member states. Senate Bill 105 – 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
RLD said fees to upgrade the NM Plus licensing system are approximately $40 thousand. An
administrative rulemaking process, including a public hearing and publication of notices and
proposed rules, would be required. RLD noted that it believed the Social Work Board can absorb
these costs.
The board “may” but more likely will be required to pay an annual assessment based on a
formula determined by the commission. If SB105 is enacted, the Board will incur travel expenses
for its delegate to attend annual commission meetings. If the Board is responsible for these costs,
the potential expenses are estimated to cost a minimum of $2,000 per day for one delegate each
year, with an estimated four days of travel and attendance each year. Therefore, RLD anticipates
a recurring expense of $8,000 per year in FY26 and future fiscal years. With respect to adverse
actions, the issuing state may incur expenses related to taking adverse action against a licensee.
The board is in support of SB105. The board cites concerns about unmet mental health diagnoses
and treatment needs and substance misuse/substance use disorders, limited mobility and
licensure for social workers, reduced availability of telehealth options, and ongoing social work
shortages.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
The Department of Health (DOH) explains that the compact is a result of collaboration between
the Department of Defense, the Association of Social Work Boards, and the Council of State
Governments, which houses the National Center for Interstate Compacts. The compact has been
activated by the membership of the required seven states, but multistate licenses are not yet being
issued; that process will take 12 to 24 months. They note that the lack of easy interstate licensing
hits military families particularly hard, as at least 36 percent of military spouses need an
occupational license for employment.
Additionally, DOH notes, social work services are often required by a student’s Individualized
Education Plan, and those services are reimbursable. School social workers may require
specialized training for working in a special education program. New Mexico’s Medicaid
services plan also allows for schools to be reimbursed for social work services for their general
education students, as well.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
RLD also explained that the board would be required to adopt rules in accordance with
requirements to participate in the compact. In addition, staff would need to develop procedures
for using the database, which is the licensure information system maintained by the commission.
Background checks would also need to be implemented. RLD says those contracts already exists.
Senate Bill 105 – Page 3
CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP
This bill relates to other bills enacting other model interstate licensing compacts, including:
House Bill 79 Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Compact,
House Bill 81 Occupational Therapy Compact,
House Bill 82 Physical Therapy Licensure Compact,
House Bill 110 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact,
House Bill 217 Counselling Compact,
Senate Bill 46 Interstate Medical Licensure Compact,
Senate Bill 104 Audiology & Speech Licensure Compact, and
Senate Bill 106 Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.
AHO/rl/SL2