STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1374

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 172

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 172 entitled:

"SENATE 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:

The purpose and intent 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 at Windward Community College.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society, Kauaʻi Humane Society, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

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. Your Committee further finds that the absence of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program in the State compels 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 the State to practice. Your Committee also finds that Windward Community College currently offers a Veterinary Technology Program and expanding it to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway could alleviate the State's veterinary workforce shortages and support local agriculture, animal welfare, and biosecurity. This measure addresses the State's need for animal science-related education.

Your Committee notes the concern raised by the University of Hawaii System that community colleges are not authorized to offer doctoral programs. Therefore, your Committee requests that the Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group consider a systemwide approach assessing the demand for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and its potential integration within the University of Hawaii System.

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 S.R. No. 172 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair