CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 18-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2016

RE:    S.B. No. 2671

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 2

       C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERINARY TECHNICIANS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Beginning on July 1, 2018, establish requirements for the regulation of veterinary technicians and the practice of veterinary technology;

     (2)  Establish registration requirements and limitations on use of titles for veterinary technicians; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds to implement the registration of veterinary technicians.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that veterinary technicians are essential members of a veterinary health care team.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that graduates from veterinary technician programs in Hawaii must travel out of the State to receive the title of "registered veterinary technician", as that title is not currently recognized in Hawaii.  Accordingly, this measure provides title protection for veterinary technicians and registered technicians, establishes criteria for registration, and makes clear that a licensed veterinarian is not precluded from utilizing support or auxiliary personnel.

     Your Committee on Conference notes that since this measure provides title protection and registration for veterinary technicians, rather than full licensure, a reduction in the registration surcharge amount is appropriate.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Reducing the surcharge each veterinary technician must pay in addition to each new registration and registration renewal from $100 to $50;

     (2)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $30,000 from the compliance resolution fund to implement the registration of veterinary technicians; and

     (3)  Changing its effective date from July 1, 2030, to July 1, 2016.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2671, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Co-Chair	____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair
____________________________ AARON LING JOHANSON, Co-Chair	____________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Co-Chair
	____________________________ GIL RIVIERE, Co-Chair