Senators voted to advance a revised interstate compact that would allow licensed social workers in other participating states to practice in New Mexico under a compact license and to permit New Mexico social workers to use a compact license elsewhere.

Sponsor Senator Trujillo and co-sponsors described the compact as a tool to expand access to social-work services statewide and to reduce barriers to employment for military spouses and other mobile workers. "It allows an individual who's licensed in one home state to practice in any other state" that is a compact member, Trujillo said during the presentation.

Nut graf: the compact is a multistate agreement that New Mexico would enter; committee members worked through a set of state‑specific amendments to remove or modify provisions that conflicted with state law or policy while retaining portability and telehealth access benefits.

Key changes adopted in committee: sponsors removed or altered language about qualified immunity and added limits on interstate subpoenas so state legal procedures are respected. Lawmakers also changed venue provisions so that member states could pursue suit in the state’s own courts rather than being required to litigate only in the District of Columbia or at the commission's headquarters. The committee also removed language that would automatically award attorney fees to a prevailing party in compact‑related litigation.

Support and departmental input: the Department of Defense and the state Military Base Planning Commission provided written or oral support, saying licensure compacts improve military spouse employment and strengthen local bases’ mission readiness. Melissa Salazar of the Regulation and Licensing Division attended as an expert on implementation details.

Ending: After amendments and discussion the committee adopted the substitute and voted to forward it; sponsors said the changes keep New Mexico’s procedural protections in place while joining 42 other states that participate in compacts for professional licensure.