HCR 195: 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.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

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.

     WHEREAS, the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services; and

     WHEREAS, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces 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 Hawaii to practice; and

     WHEREAS, Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education, providing students with hands-on experience and producing skilled veterinary technicians; and

     WHEREAS, expanding Windward Community College's existing Veterinary Technology program to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway would help address the State's veterinary workforce shortages and support local agriculture, animal welfare, and biosecurity; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations between the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and national accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, community colleges are not authorized to offer doctoral programs, obtaining accreditation for colleges can be a lengthy process. Colleges that would like to administer doctoral programs must go through an accreditation process through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission, or another regional accreditor.

     WHEREAS, the expansion of Windward Community College's degree programs would require a feasibility study and strategic planning to assess accreditation standards and the faculty, funding, and partnerships needed to support the proposed doctoral program; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Windward Community College; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include:

     (1)  A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program;

     (2)  A representative of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Veterinarian Education Program;

     (3)  The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee;

     (4)  The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee;

     (5)  Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners, invited by the President of the University of Hawaii;

     (6)  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (7)  One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

     (8)  One member of the University of Hawaii System to act as a representative for the Working Group; and

(9)  Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Working Group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing:

     (1)  Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations;

     (2)  The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (3)  The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (4)  The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association;

     (5)  The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and

     (6)  The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants; and

(7)  Assess the demand for the DVM program and their potential integration within the University of Hawaii System at the most optimal campus.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Chancellor of Windward Community College, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and members of Windward Community College Veterinary Studies Advisory Committee.

Report Title:

UH; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Windward Community College; Working Group; Report

HOUSE CONCURRENT

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.

     WHEREAS, the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services; and

     WHEREAS, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces 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 Hawaii to practice; and

     WHEREAS, Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education, providing students with hands-on experience and producing skilled veterinary technicians; and

     WHEREAS, expanding Windward Community College's existing Veterinary Technology program to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway would help address the State's veterinary workforce shortages and support local agriculture, animal welfare, and biosecurity; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations between the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and national accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, the expansion of Windward Community College's degree programs would require a feasibility study and strategic planning to assess accreditation standards and the faculty, funding, and partnerships needed to support the proposed doctoral program; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Windward Community College; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to include:

     (1)  A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program;

     (2)  A representative of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Veterinarian Education Program;

     (3)  The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee;

     (4)  The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee;

     (5)  Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners, invited by the President of the University of Hawaii;

     (6)  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (7)  One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

     (8)  Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Working Group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing:

     (1)  Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations;

     (2)  The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (3)  The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (4)  The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association;

     (5)  The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and

     (6)  The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Chancellor of Windward Community College, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and members of Windward Community College Veterinary Studies Advisory Committee.

Report Title:

UH; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Windward Community College; Working Group; Report

HOUSE CONCURRENT

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.

     WHEREAS, the State faces a critical shortage of veterinarians, especially in rural areas and for large animal and agricultural veterinary services; and

     WHEREAS, the State's lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces 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 Hawaii to practice; and

     WHEREAS, Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education, providing students with hands-on experience and producing skilled veterinary technicians; and

     WHEREAS, expanding Windward Community College's existing Veterinary Technology program to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway would help address the State's veterinary workforce shortages and support local agriculture, animal welfare, and biosecurity; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Hawaii could include collaborations with the University of Hawaii System, private veterinary practices, and national accredited bodies to ensure academic excellence and program sustainability; and

     WHEREAS, the expansion of Windward Community College's degree programs would require a feasibility study and strategic planning to assess accreditation standards and the faculty, funding, and partnerships needed to support the proposed doctoral program; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Windward Community College; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to include:

     (1)  A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program;

     (2)  The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee;

     (3)  The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee;

     (4)  Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners invited by the President of the University of Hawaii;

     (5)  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (6)  One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

     (7)  Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the working group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the working group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing:

     (1)  Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations;

     (2)  The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (3)  The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (4)  The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association;

     (5)  The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and

     (6)  The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, the President of the University of Hawaii, Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, Chancellor of Windward Community College, and members of Windward Community College Veterinary Studies Advisory Committee.

Report Title:

UH; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; Windward Community College; Working Group; Report

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1792

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 195

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 195, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT 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 of this measure is to have the University of Hawaii System request to establish a Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at Windward Community College and ask that the Working Group include:

     (1)  A representative of Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program;

     (2)  A representative of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Veterinarian Education Program;

     (3)  The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, or the Dean's designee;

     (4)  The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chair's designee;

     (5)  Representatives from private veterinary practice, including large animal and small animal practitioners, invited by the President of the University of Hawaii;

     (6)  One member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

     (7)  One member of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

     (8)  Any other stakeholders, as deemed necessary by the Working Group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Working Group is requested to conduct a feasibility study addressing:

     (1)  Potential partnerships with veterinary schools on the United States mainland to facilitate clinical rotations;

     (2)  The alignment of the State's education and workforce pipelines to feed into the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (3)  The infrastructure and facilities needed to support a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program;

     (4)  The State's ability to meet accreditation requirements of the American Veterinary Medical Association;

     (5)  The faculty and curriculum needed to support the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program and to meet accreditation requirements; and

     (6)  The availability of funding, including public-private partnerships and federal grants.

     Your Committee received testimony in support from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and seven individuals.

     Your Committee amended this measure by:

(1)    Inserting language to amend the functions of the Working Group to include the assessment on demand for the DVM program and their potential integration within the UH system at the most optimal campus; and

(2)    Amending the measure to add a section stating that community colleges are not authorized to offer doctoral programs and must obtain accreditation from Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission, or another regional accreditor; and

(3)    Adding language to include a UH System representative to the Working Group.

     Your Committee finds that the need to increase educational facilities for veterinarians is crucial in accordance to the shortage of available veterinarians in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that keeping local veterinarians in Hawaii correlates with where they attend school, which means increasing local schools that offer pathways for education in this field is essential to address this shortage. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a Working Group governed by the University of Hawaii System be created to explore the feasibility of developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in other areas within the Hawaii education system.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 195, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 195, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1575

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 195

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 195 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT 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 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; Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain; Kauaʻi Humane Society; and numerous individuals.  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.  The lack of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program forces aspiring veterinarians to seek education outside of Hawaii, which can increase financial burdens and reduce the likelihood that a newly licensed veterinarian will return to the State to practice.

     Your Committee further finds that Windward Community College's Veterinary Technology program has a strong foundation in veterinary education.  Your Committee believes that establishing a working group to explore the feasibility of expanding Windward Community College's existing Veterinary Technology program to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway will help address the State's veterinary workforce shortages.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Including a representative of the University of Hawaii at Hilo's Veterinarian Education Program as a member of the Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group;

     (2)  Directing a certified copy of this measure to the Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.C.R. No. 195, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 195, H.D. 1.

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