Texas House Bill HB1684

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/3/09
• Voted on by House: 4/21/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/4/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/12/09
• Governor Action: 5/26/09
• Enrolled: 5/18/09
• Passed: 5/26/09

Caption

Relating to the creation and administration of the rural veterinarian loan repayment program.

Impact

The bill amends existing statutes to create specific provisions under which veterinarians can receive financial assistance for their education loans. By defining eligibility criteria and the terms under which repayment assistance is provided, the bill aims to ensure that the funds are used effectively to retain veterinary services in rural areas. This may lead to enhanced veterinary support for livestock health, which is crucial for the agricultural economy in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1684 establishes a Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program aimed at addressing the shortage of veterinarians in rural Texas. The program provides loan repayment assistance to veterinarians who commit to practicing veterinary medicine on livestock or deer in designated rural areas. By incentivizing practitioners to work in these underserved regions, HB1684 seeks to improve access to veterinary care for farmers and ranchers in rural communities, potentially benefiting both agricultural productivity and animal welfare.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HB1684 involve the program's funding and the implications of requiring veterinarians to fulfill certain service commitments. Critics may question whether the financial resources allocated to this program are sufficient to meet the expected demand, and there are concerns about whether it adequately addresses the needs of rural communities beyond loan repayment. Additionally, the conditional nature of the loan forgiveness could also cause apprehensions among potential applicants regarding their ability to fulfill the practice requirements.