THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. 192 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION requesting the university of Hawaii system to establish a veterinary medicine EXPANSION working group to explore the feasibility of developing a doctor of veterinary medicine program.
THE SENATE S.C.R. NO. 192
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.C.R. NO.
192
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the university of Hawaii system to establish a veterinary medicine EXPANSION working group to explore the feasibility of developing a doctor of veterinary medicine program.
WHEREAS, the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services; and WHEREAS, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces aspiring veterinarians to seek education on the United States mainland or internationally, which can increase financial burdens and reduce the likelihood that a newly licensed veterinarian will return to Hawaii to practice; and WHEREAS, Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education, providing students with hands-on experience and producing skilled veterinary technicians; and WHEREAS, the establishment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations between the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and national accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include: (1) The President of the University of Hawaii, or the President's designee, who is requested to serve as the chairperson of the Working Group; (2) The Chancellor of University of Hawaii at Hilo, or the Chancellor's designee; (3) A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program; (4) The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee; (5) The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee; (6) Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners invited by the President of the University of Hawaii; (7) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (8) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and (9) Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the working group; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Working Group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing: (1) Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations; (2) The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program; (3) The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program; (4) The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association; (5) The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and (6) The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Chancellor of Windward Community College. Report Title: UH; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Windward Community College; Working Group; Report
WHEREAS, the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services; and
WHEREAS, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces aspiring veterinarians to seek education on the United States mainland or internationally, which can increase financial burdens and reduce the likelihood that a newly licensed veterinarian will return to Hawaii to practice; and
WHEREAS, Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education, providing students with hands-on experience and producing skilled veterinary technicians; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations between the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and national accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include:
(1) The President of the University of Hawaii, or the President's designee, who is requested to serve as the chairperson of the Working Group;
(2) The Chancellor of University of Hawaii at Hilo, or the Chancellor's designee;
(3) A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program;
(4) The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee;
(5) The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee;
(6) Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners invited by the President of the University of Hawaii;
(7) One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(8) One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and
(9) Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the working group; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Working Group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing:
(1) Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations;
(2) The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;
(3) The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;
(4) The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association;
(5) The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and
(6) The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Chancellor of Windward Community College.
Report Title:
UH; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Windward Community College; Working Group; Report