Senate panel advances bill to recruit health professionals with ‘‘concierge’’ outreach to alumni

The Senate taxation committee voted to advance House Bill 15, a bill authorizing a pilotlike recruiting effort to bring graduates and licensed professionals into health‑care jobs in New Mexico.

Senator Duhigg presented the measure, saying the program would authorize the Department of Workforce Solutions to perform proactive outreach to graduates of New Mexico higher‑education institutions (graduates within the past 10 years who are not practicing medically in the state), help coordinate licensing transfers, housing and incentives, and otherwise reduce barriers to returning to New Mexico.

Supporters included university staff and health‑care providers. Nathan Bush of the University of New Mexico and Jason Weeks, a hospital association lobbyist, said the program would help recruit and retain clinicians. Dana Gray, executive director of Desert Clinics, and the League of Women Voters of New Mexico also testified in support.

Committee questions centered on measures of success, rural placement priorities and whether the work duplicates existing workforce efforts. Secretary Serena Nair of the Department of Workforce Solutions told the committee the program aligned with the department’s WIOA plan but would fund proactive outreach and data collection that the department currently lacks funding to perform.

The committee adopted the bill by a 5–4 roll call. Senator Figueroa moved the due pass; Senator Bergman seconded. Several senators asked for reporting metrics; sponsors said they expect to track lead measures (centralized incentives listing and alumni rosters) and lag measures such as placement percentages in rural areas.

Next steps: The bill will proceed to the chamber floor; sponsors said they will work with staff on reporting metrics and rural‑placement targets.