STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1574
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.R. No. 188
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.R. No. 188 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH A VETERINARY MEDICINE EXPANSION WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING A DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE PROGRAM AT WINDWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society; Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain; Kauaʻi Humane Society; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.
Your Committee finds that the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services. The lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces aspiring veterinarians to seek education outside of Hawaii, which can increase financial burdens and reduce the likelihood that a newly licensed veterinarian will return to the State to practice.
Your Committee further finds that Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education. Your Committee believes that establishing a working group to explore the feasibility of expanding Windward Community College's existing Veterinary Technology program to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway will help address the State's veterinary workforce shortages.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Including a representative of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Veterinarian Education Program as a member of the Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group;
(2) Directing a certified copy of this measure to the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and
(3) 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 Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 188, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 188, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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____________________________ ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair |
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