STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2623

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2798

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

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

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize temporary courtesy and relief permits for out-of-sate veterinarians;

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

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, The Humane Society of the United States, and twenty-six individuals.

Your Committee finds that many able and skilled veterinarians are unable to help the State meet its demand for veterinarians due to eligibility requirements for licensure. Granting temporary permits to out-of-state veterinarians would ensure that qualified veterinarians are able to assist in providing veterinary care in the State. Additionally, veterinary telemedicine is an important tool for veterinarians to meet the needs of their clients and patients. This measure allows out-of-state veterinarians to provide care in certain settings and for veterinarians to offer veterinary telemedicine in the State.

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

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair