HB 1253 Summary

• Creates the Veterinary Care for Retired Military Working Dogs Program within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to provide stable funding for veterinary care of retired military working dogs.

• Defines eligible dogs as those procured and trained by the U.S. Air Force 341st Training Squadron, deployed in combat or combat-related conditions, and adopted pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2583.

• Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to contract with a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting retired military working dogs to administer the program and disburse reimbursements to adopters.

• Limits reimbursements to $10,000 per dog over the dog's lifetime and prohibits reimbursement if program funds are depleted in the year requested; eligible veterinary care includes wellness exams, vaccinations, emergency care, surgeries, specialty care, euthanasia, and cremation.

• Appropriates $300,000 in recurring General Revenue Funds annually beginning in fiscal year 2018-2019 for program implementation and operation; allows the administering nonprofit to use up to 10 percent of appropriated funds for administrative expenses.