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SB2158
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2158
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO VETERINARIANS
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that there is a
critical need for more licensed veterinarians in the State.
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In 2020, there were three hundred twenty
veterinarians working in Hawaii.
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However, the existing growth rate will not be sustainable to meet the
current and future demand of veterinary services in the State, as the number of
veterinarians is expected to grow only by approximately 1.6 per cent each year
through 2030.
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Presently,
there are a myriad of issues that limit the potential to increase the number of
licensed veterinarians in the State.
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For
one, the State does not have a veterinary school, requiring individuals
interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine to advance their
education out-of-state, where many often remain after graduation.
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Without an educational option in Hawaii,
veterinary graduates who do return to the State encounter financial barriers
such as higher out‑of‑state tuition and relocation costs, higher
costs of living due to geographical isolation, and considerable student loan
debt.
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The
legislature further finds that, in the United States, the pursuit of a doctor
of veterinary medicine degree is a costly undertaking, with total program costs
ranging from $150,000 to $400,000 for private out-of-state programs.
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Average program costs in the United States
range from $200,000 to $275,000.
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The
average graduate accumulates anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000 in student loan
debt, with certain graduates accumulating more debt based on their chosen
program.
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Therefore, it is imperative to
incentivize current and future veterinarians to practice in the State by
offering benefits to help lessen tuition burdens.
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The
legislature additionally finds that there are structural limitations within the
State's veterinary education policy framework, contributing to a stunted
workforce and highlighting the need for well-trained, highly qualified veterinary
professionals in the State.
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Given the
State's unique geography and resources, veterinarians must often adapt to a
combination of geographical constraints such as inter-island travel, along with
practical challenges associated with limited specialty referrals, exotic species
cases tied to endemic ecosystems, regulatory issues tied to import and export
of animals and quarantine, and cultural sensitivities regarding animals in
local communities.
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The role frequently
demands flexibility, requiring that one may be called upon to assist in rural
or remote clinics, serve in high-volume spay or neuter operations, participate
in emergency or disaster-response animal-welfare efforts, or collaborate with
wildlife agencies.
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The
legislature finds that the shortage of veterinary professionals in the State directly
impacts and affects livestock health management, animal disease prevention, and
emergency response frameworks, creating broader economic and biosecurity vulnerabilities.
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Without intervention, the State risks
continued decline in veterinary service availability, compromising animal
welfare, food security, and agricultural biosecurity.
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Offering prospective students and current
veterinarians increased educational pathways and options within the State's veterinary
educational framework will catalyze growth and expansion of the field of
veterinary medicine, enhance the agricultural industry, move to address the
shortage of veterinarians in the State, incentivize the interests of
individuals seeking entry into the profession, and assist qualified individuals
who hold student debt.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:
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(1)
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Establish the veterinary workforce
development special fund;
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(2)
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Establish the veterinary workforce
development loan repayment and scholarship program to assist veterinarians in
the State with loan repayments and completion of veterinary medicine education;
and
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(3)
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Increase the number of seats available to
Hawaii residents interested in pursuing a doctor of veterinary medicine degree
by authorizing the Hawaii board of veterinary medicine to enter into interstate
partnerships and memoranda of agreement, in accordance with rules adopted
pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes
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SECTION
2
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Chapter 471,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new sections to be
appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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�471-A
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Veterinary workforce development special
fund.
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(a)
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There is established the
veterinary workforce development special fund, to be administered and expended
by the board.
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(b)
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The following shall be
deposited into the special fund:
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(1)
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Appropriations by the legislature;
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(2)
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Grants, donations, gifts, or other
income received for the purposes of the special fund; and
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(3)
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Interest earned or accrued on moneys
in the special fund.
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(c)
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Moneys in the special fund shall be used to
support the veterinary workforce development loan repayment and scholarship
program established pursuant to section 471-B; provided that the special fund
shall be used for purposes identified by the board to support veterinary
workforce assessment and planning efforts, including the recruitment and
retention of veterinarians in the State.
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This shall include but not be limited to:
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(1)
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Maintaining accurate veterinarian
workforce assessment information and providing or updating personal and
professional information, which shall be maintained in a secure database;
provided that the board may disclose information specific to any veterinarian
only with the express written consent of the veterinarian;
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(2)
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Providing loan repayment to veterinarians
who commit to working in shortage areas of the State as part of the veterinarian
workforce loan repayment and scholarship program administered by the board; and
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(3)
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Providing scholarships to qualifying
veterinarians to be determined by the board.
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�471-B
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Veterinary workforce development loan
repayment and scholarship program.
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(a)
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There is established a veterinary workforce
development loan repayment and scholarship program to be administered by the
board to provide financial support to veterinary students and practicing
veterinarians who agree to work as a full-time veterinarian in shortage areas
of the State for a period of time to be determined by the board.
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(b)
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The veterinary workforce
development loan repayment and scholarship program shall offer:
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(1)
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Loan repayments to veterinarians who
commit to working in shortage areas of the State for a minimum period of time
determined by the board; and
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(2)
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Scholarships to veterinary students
attending veterinary colleges that meet standards established by the board;
provided that the scholarship recipients commit to work in the State after
graduation for a minimum period of time determined by the board.
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(c)
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An individual who receives a
loan repayment or scholarship pursuant to this section and does not work in the
State for the minimum time period specified by the board shall repay the total
amount of the loan or scholarship received to the veterinarian workforce
development special fund; provided that the board may waive this requirement
upon good cause shown.
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(d)
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The board shall adopt rules in
accordance with chapter 91 necessary to implement and administer the veterinarian
workforce development loan repayment and scholarship program, including
eligibility requirements and procedures.
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�471-C
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Veterinary education and training
agreements.
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Beginning January 1, 2027, the board may enter
into agreements, including a memorandum of understanding, with the university
of Hawaii, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and accredited out-of-state
colleges of veterinary medicine to:
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(1)
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Establish pathways for clinical
training and joint clinical rotations in the State;
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(2)
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Establish expedited licensure
processes for graduates of approved partner programs;
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(3)
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Authorize temporary practice permits
for visiting faculty or clinicians providing clinical teaching or services in
the State; and
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(4)
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Facilitate interagency coordination
to negotiate and operationalize partnerships and agreements with accredited out-of-state
schools to increase the availability of program seats for residents in the
State.
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SECTION
3.
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No later than December 31, 2026, the
Hawaii board of veterinary medicine shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary to implement section 471-C, Hawaii Revised
Statutes.
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SECTION
4
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There
is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027
to be deposited into the veterinary workforce development special fund.
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SECTION
5
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There
is appropriated out of the veterinary workforce development special fund the
sum of $ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027
for scholarships and loan repayments to qualified individuals working as
veterinarians in the State pursuant to the requirements of section 471-A,
Hawaii Revised Statutes.
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The
sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer
affairs for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION
6.
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In codifying the new sections added
by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute
appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new
sections in this Act.
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SECTION
7
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New statutory
material is underscored.
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SECTION
8
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This Act shall
take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Board of
Veterinary Medicine; Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund;
Scholarships; Loan Repayment; Interstate Partnerships; Memoranda of
Understanding; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund.
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Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce
Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified
veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the
State.
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Authorizes the Hawaii Board of
Veterinary Medicine to enter into agreements, including memoranda of
understanding, with the University of Hawaii, the Hawaii Veterinary Medical
Association, and accredited out‑of‑state schools to increase the
availability of accredited veterinary programs and licensure opportunities to
residents of the State.
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Appropriates
funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.