STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
MAR 312025
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, Kaua‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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
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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,
___
DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Higher Education
HRE
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
5/1-0
The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to;___________________________________
The Recommendation is:
Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
KIM, Donna Mercado (C)
KIDANI, Michelle N. (VC)
FUKUNAGA, Carol
HASHIMOTO, Troy N.
FEVELLA, Kurt
TOTAL ^2^
Recommendation: __
IxKAdopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’s or Designee’s Signore: — »
Distribution: Original Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/09/24