SB 493 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO VETERINARIANS.

Summary

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Fee to support recruitment and retention of veterinarians in the State. 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. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 13, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB493 → SB493_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a special fund to support Hawaii's veterinarian workforce through a new $60 license fee, loan repayment assistance, and scholarships for those working in shortage areas. The legislation aims to address the critical shortage of veterinarians in the state by creating financial incentives to encourage both current and future veterinarians to practice in Hawaii.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by creating a new administrative framework including a special fund, mandatory license fee, and a structured loan repayment and scholarship program that did not previously exist.

FISCAL

Establishes a new $60 license fee for all veterinarians renewing their licenses starting July 1, 2025, with proceeds deposited into the new special fund.

ELIGIBILITY

Creates a new loan repayment and scholarship program for veterinarians and students who commit to working in shortage areas of the state for a minimum period determined by the board.

REQUIREMENT

Requires recipients of loan repayments or scholarships to repay the full amount if they do not work in the state for the required minimum time period, with potential waivers for good cause.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date for the fee and program as July 1, 2050, which appears to be an error or placeholder date that may need correction.

DEFINITION

Creates new statutory sections 471-A, 471-B, and 471-C to formally establish the special fund, license fee, and loan repayment program.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 437) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 9:35AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

7 primary · 1 co-sponsor