STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2121

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.C.R. No. 192

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 192, H.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT 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,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request 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 and submit a report to Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

Your Committee has received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaiʻi Cattlemen's Council, and two individuals. Your Committee has received comments from the University of Hawaiʻi System. Your Committee has received testimony in opposition of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services. Moreover, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces aspiring veterinarians to seek education on the United States mainland or internationally, which can increase financial burdens and reduce the likelihood that a newly licensed veterinarian will return to Hawaii to practice.

Your Committee further finds that establishing a Doctor Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations between the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and nationally accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability. This measure requests the University of Hawaii System to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to conduct a feasibility study to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 192, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair