SR 172: 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.

SENATE 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 Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, 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 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. 1374

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 172

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 172 entitled:

"SENATE 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 and intent 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, Kauaʻi Humane Society, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, and seven individuals.

     Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     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.  Your Committee further finds that the absence of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program in the State compels 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 the State to practice.  Your Committee also finds that Windward Community College currently offers a Veterinary Technology Program and expanding it to include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine pathway could alleviate the State's veterinary workforce shortages and support local agriculture, animal welfare, and biosecurity.  This measure addresses the State's need for animal science-related education.

     Your Committee notes the concern raised by the University of Hawaii System that community colleges are not authorized to offer doctoral programs.  Therefore, your Committee requests that the Veterinary Medicine Expansion Working Group consider a systemwide approach assessing the demand for a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and its potential integration within the University of Hawaii System.

     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 S.R. No. 172 and recommends its adoption.

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