SB2158

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a critical need for more licensed veterinarians in the State. In 2020, there were three hundred twenty veterinarians working in Hawaii. 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.

Presently, there are a myriad of issues that limit the potential to increase the number of licensed veterinarians in the State. 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. 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.

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. Average program costs in the United States range from $200,000 to $275,000. 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. Therefore, it is imperative to incentivize current and future veterinarians to practice in the State by offering benefits to help lessen tuition burdens.

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. 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. 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.

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. Without intervention, the State risks continued decline in veterinary service availability, compromising animal welfare, food security, and agricultural biosecurity. 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.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish the veterinary workforce development special fund;

(2) 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

(3) 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.

SECTION 2. Chapter 471, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§471-A Veterinary workforce development special fund. (a) There is established the veterinary workforce development special fund, to be administered and expended by the board.

(b) The following shall be deposited into the special fund:

(1) Appropriations by the legislature;

(2) Grants, donations, gifts, or other income received for the purposes of the special fund; and

(3) Interest earned or accrued on moneys in the special fund.

(c) 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. This shall include but not be limited to:

(1) 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;

(2) 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

(3) Providing scholarships to qualifying veterinarians to be determined by the board.

§471-B Veterinary workforce development loan repayment and scholarship program. (a) 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.

(b) The veterinary workforce development loan repayment and scholarship program shall offer:

(1) 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

(2) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

§471-C Veterinary education and training agreements. 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:

(1) Establish pathways for clinical training and joint clinical rotations in the State;

(2) Establish expedited licensure processes for graduates of approved partner programs;

(3) Authorize temporary practice permits for visiting faculty or clinicians providing clinical teaching or services in the State; and

(4) 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."

SECTION 3. 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.

SECTION 4. 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.

SECTION 5. 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.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. 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.

SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2158
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII