STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1210-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2798

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Board of Veterinary Medicine to grant temporary courtesy and relief permits for out-of-state veterinarians;

(2) Permit licensed veterinarians to practice veterinarian telemedicine; and

(3) Allow for international veterinary school graduates to qualify for the state licensure examination.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, Neighborhood Cats, Kaua‘i Humane Society, Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the demand for veterinary services continues to grow. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased consumer demand for telehealth in the field of veterinary medicine, particularly in areas where access to veterinary care is limited. This measure establishes a pathway for out-of-state veterinarians to assist the local veterinary community, while providing quality care for consumers and pet owners.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that a veterinarian may provide veterinary telesupervision for tasks that do not require direct supervision;

(2) Establishing a permit surcharge to defray costs associated with administering courtesy and relief permits;

(3) Clarifying the definitions of "veterinary teleadvice" and "veterinary teletriage";

(4) Making it effective on July 1, 2023; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair