Large animal veterinarians

AN ACT Relating to large animal veterinarians; creating new 1
sections; and providing expiration dates. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that there are 4
several factors at play for the shortage of large animal 5
veterinarians. The legislature finds that the shortage of large 6
animal veterinarians is a critical issue for animal welfare and 7
disease prevention, but also for public health because the shortage 8
affects the safety of the food supply.9
(a) First, Washington's agricultural economy and agricultural 10
communities are under enormous strain, and this deters medical 11
professionals from choosing a future connected to the industry. The 12
legislature recognizes that in 2023, labor expenses per farming 13
operation in Washington were 462 percent higher than the national 14
average and Washington is currently losing on average, two farms per 15
day. The legislature further recognizes that farmers do not control 16
their own prices and cannot simply respond to increased production 17
costs by increasing the prices of their goods. These economic 18
pressures are also impacting agriculture workers' mental health, and 19
agriculture suicides are nearly 25 percent higher than the overall 20
state rate. From 2020 through 2022, the suicide rate for agricultural 21
H-0765.2
HOUSE BILL 1705
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Dent, Reeves, Parshley, Connors, and Bernbaum
Read first time 01/29/25. Referred to Committee on Postsecondary
Education & Workforce.
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workers in Washington state was 21.1 per 100,000 people, compared 1
with 14.9 per 100,000 people for the state's general population.2
(b) Second, the state has added nearly 2,000,000 people over the 3
last 20 years, but not increased class sizes at the state's college 4
of veterinary medicine. 5
(c) Third, many large animal veterinarians have left the field 6
due to long hours, unpredictable schedules, and higher wages 7
available for small animal care. 8
(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to convene a work group to 9
study and recommend strategies to recruit, train, and retain large 10
animal veterinarians in Washington. 11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Washington State University's division 12
of governmental studies and services shall convene a work group to 13
study and recommend strategies to recruit, train, and retain large 14
animal veterinarians in Washington. The work group must provide a 15
preliminary report to the appropriate committees of the legislature 16
by December 1, 2025, and a final report to the appropriate committees 17
of the legislature by June 30, 2026, in conformance with RCW 18
43.01.036.19
(2) This section expires July 1, 2026. 20
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The work group created in section 2 of 21
this act is composed of the following members:22
(a) The director of the department of agriculture, or the 23
director's designee; 24
(b) The secretary of the department of health, or the secretary's 25
designee; 26
(c) The dean of Washington State University college of veterinary 27
medicine, or the dean's designee; 28
(d) The Washington state veterinarian, or the veterinarian's 29
designee; 30
(e) One representative from an organization representing 31
veterinarians; 32
(f) One representative from an organization representing farmers 33
and ranchers; 34
(g) One representative from an organization representing 35
livestock producers; and 36
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(h) One adult leader representing a national youth development 1
program that includes experiential learning in agriculture and large 2
animal husbandry. 3
(2) This section expires July 1, 2026. 4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If specific funding for the purposes of 5
this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not 6
provided by June 30, 2025, in the omnibus appropriations act, this 7
act is null and void.8
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p. 3 HB 1705