NJ S3338

Creates a Veterinary Medicine Loan Redemption Program through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to repay student loans for veterinarians who commit to working full-time for five years at approved sites in or within five miles of designated veterinary underserved areas

Provides up to 100% loan redemption capped at $30,000 per year, distributed incrementally: 12% in year one, 20% in years two and three, and 24% in years four and five

Requires participants to be New Jersey residents, licensed veterinarians, work at least 40 hours per week for 45 weeks annually, and dedicate at least 75% of their work to large animal veterinary care (cows, horses, goats, pigs, chickens, sheep, and other livestock)

Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the New Jersey Horse Council, Association of Equine Practitioners, Veterinary Medical Association, and Farm Bureau, will annually designate veterinary underserved areas based on large animal veterinarian shortages

Appropriates $500,000 annually from the General Fund; participants who leave before completing five years must repay 50% of redeemed amounts within one year