H.B. 146 Summary

• Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent veterinary medical officer position within the Department of Health to detect, investigate, prevent, control, and eradicate zoonotic diseases.

• Requires the veterinary medical officer to hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary college and a valid license to practice veterinary medicine under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 471.

• Appropriates general revenue funds for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 (amount not specified in bill text) to establish and support the veterinary medical officer position.

• Addresses the need to combat zoonotic disease outbreaks including rat lungworm disease, leptospirosis, and other animal-to-human transmitted diseases affecting Hawaii's population.

• Effective date set for July 1, 2150 (apparent typographical error in bill text).