HI SCR192

Requests the University of Hawaii System to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii.

Working Group shall include the UH President (as chair), UH-Hilo Chancellor, Windward Community College Veterinary Technology program representative, Dean of UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Board of Agriculture Chair, private veterinary practitioners, one House member, one Senate member, and other stakeholders as needed.

Working Group must conduct a feasibility study examining potential mainland veterinary school partnerships, state education and workforce pipeline alignment, infrastructure and facilities requirements, American Veterinary Medical Association accreditation compliance, faculty and curriculum needs, and funding availability including public-private partnerships and federal grants.

Working Group is required to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2026.

Addresses Hawaii's critical shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas and large animal services, and notes that lack of in-state veterinary education forces aspiring veterinarians to seek training on the mainland or internationally.