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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
March 25, 2024
ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 3196 By: Newton and Archer of the
House
and
Jech and Pederson of the
Senate
An Act relating to professions and occupations;
amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 698.33, which relates
to the Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act; modifying
veterinary training program for rural Oklahoma;
updating references; prioritizing students currently
enrolled at the Oklahoma State University College of
Veterinary Medicine; modifying maximum assistance
amount; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2021, Section 698.33, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 698.33 A. This act shall be known and may be cite d as
the "Dr. Lee Denney Act of 2024".
B. There is hereby established the veterinary training program
for rural Oklahoma to be administered by the Oklahoma State
University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences Medicine Authority.
The program shall be de veloped and implemented in or der to provide
encouragement, opportunities and incentives for persons pursuing a
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veterinary medicine degree at Oklahoma State University to locate
their veterinary practice in rural Oklahoma communities, and receive
specialized training targeted to meet the needs of livestock
producers in rural Oklahoma communities.
B. Subject to available funds, each C. Each year the
Veterinary Center Authority may enter into program agreements with
up to three first-year veterinary students or currently practicing
large animal veterinarians with qualifying school loans, as
determined by the Veterinary Center Authority. Preference shall be
given to those students and large animal veterinarians who are
focused on large animal veterinary medic ine, who are Oklahoma
residents and who agree to serve in a community as described in
paragraph 3 of subsection D E of this section, which is determined
by the Veterinary Center Authority to be an underserved area for the
practice of veterinary medicine. Allocation shall be prioritiz ed to
eligible students currently enrolled at the Oklahoma State
University College of Veterinary Medicine.
C. Subject to available funds, each D. Each student or large
animal veterinarian entering into a program agreement un der this
section shall receive assistance in an amount not to exceed Twenty
Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) Twenty-five Thousand Dollars
($25,000.00) per year for not more than four (4) years for tuition,
books, supplies and other school expenses, and travel and training
expenses incurred by the student in pursuing a veterinary medicine
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degree. Upon satisfaction of all commitments under the provisions
of the agreement and the provisions of this section, the financial
obligations pursuant to this section shal l be deemed satisfied and
forgiven.
D. E. Each program agreement shall require that the person
receiving the assistance:
1. Complete the veterinary medicine degree program at the
Veterinary Center Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary
Medicine;
2. Complete all requirement s in public health, livestock
biosecurity, foreign animal disease diagnosis, regulatory veterinary
medicine and zoonotic disease, and an externship and mentoring
requirement with a licensed, accredited veterinarian in rural
Oklahoma as required by the Veterinary Center College;
3. Engage in the a full-time practice of veterinary medicine
focused on large animal medicine in any community in Oklahoma which
has a population not exceeding twenty -five thousand (25,000) as
determined by the most recent Federal D ecennial Census at the time
the person entered into the program agreement for a period of at
least twelve (12) continuous months for each separate year a student
receives assistance under the program, unless the obligation is
otherwise satisfied as provided in this section. If, after the date
a program agreement was entered into by the parties, a community no
longer meets the maximum population requirements provided in this
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paragraph, a person engaging in the full -time practice of veterinary
medicine pursuant to the program agreement shall continue to
practice in that designated community; and
4. Commence the a full-time practice of veterinary medicine
focused on large animal medicine in that community within ninety
(90) days after completion of the person's degree program, or if the
person enters a postdegree training program, such as a graduate
school or internship or residency program, within ninety (90) days
after completion of the postdegree training program.
E. F. Upon the failure of a person to sati sfy the obligation to
engage in the full-time practice of veterinary medicine in
accordance with the provisions of this section, that person shall
repay to the Veterinary Center Authority, within ninety (90) days of
the failure, the amount equal to the assistance provided to the
person less a prorated amount based on any periods of practice of
veterinary medicine meeting the requirements of this section, plus
interest at the prime rate of interest plus two percent (2%) from
the date the assistance accrued. The interest shall be compounded
annually.
F. G. An obligation to engage in the practice of veterinary
medicine in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be
postponed during:
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1. Any period of temporary medical disability during which the
person obligated is unable to practice veterinary medicine due to
the disability; and
2. Any other period of postponement agreed to or determined in
accordance with criteria agreed to in the practice agreement.
G. H. An obligation to engage in the practic e of veterinary
medicine in accordance with the provisions of the agreement and this
section shall be satisfied:
1. If the obligation to engage in the practice of veterinary
medicine in accordance with the agreement has been c ompleted;
2. If, because of permanent disability, the person obligated is
unable to practice veterinary medicine; or
3. The person who is obligated dies.
H. I. The Veterinary Center Authority may adopt additional
provisions, requirements or conditions t o participate in this
program as are practicable and appropriate to accomplish the
provisions of the program or may be required for the implementation
or administration of the program, and are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this section.
I. The Veterinary Center shall not enter into any program
agreements pursuant to the provisions of this section after July 1,
2025. All agreements entered into prior to such date shall be
valid.
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SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the p reservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS
March 25, 2024 - DO PASS