Revision: Jan. 1, 2008, midnight
CHAPTER 112
HB 173-FN-A – FINAL VERSION
15Feb2007… 0085h
02Jan2008… 2580h
07May2008… 1648eba
2008 SESSION
08/10
HOUSE BILL 173-FN-A
AN ACT relative to the promotion, acquisition, and retention of large animal veterinarians in those areas of the state where there is a need, and making an appropriation therefor.
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This bill establishes the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment program and fund for the promotion, acquisition, and retention of large animal veterinarians in those areas of the state where there is a need, including the North Country. This bill makes an appropriation to the fund.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
15Feb2007… 0085h
02Jan2008… 2580h
07May2008… 1648eba
07-0061
08/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
AN ACT relative to the promotion, acquisition, and retention of large animal veterinarians in those areas of the state where there is a need, and making an appropriation therefor.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
112:1 New Subdivision; Large Animal Veterinarian Net Tuition Repayment Program. Amend RSA 200-J by inserting after section 4 the following new subdivision:
Large Animal Veterinarian Net Tuition Repayment Program
200-J:5 Large Animal Veterinarian Net Tuition Repayment Program Established. The postsecondary education commission shall administer a program for the promotion, acquisition, and retention of a large animal veterinarian in the state in those areas where there is a need, with special consideration given to the counties of Coos, Carroll, Grafton, and Belknap. A qualifying veterinarian shall have at least 35 percent of his or her veterinary practice devoted to large animal veterinary medicine in each year in which a net tuition repayment is made. In this subdivision, “net tuition” means tuition costs for any post-secondary school education that was directed towards the completion of a doctor of veterinary medicine or veterinariae medicinae doctoris. The percentage of a practice devoted to large animal veterinary medicine shall be determined by the time spent in his or her full time practice, including travel, not on income earned.
200-J:6 Application; Repayment. An individual who has completed his or her veterinary medical education, including internships and residencies, and agrees to practice as a licensed veterinarian in an area of this state where there is a need, which may include Coos, Carroll, Grafton, and/or Belknap counties, may apply to the postsecondary education commission for repayment under the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment program and become eligible to be reimbursed up to 100 percent of his or her qualifying veterinary net tuition costs or $100,000, whichever is less, after a 10 full year period of maintaining a veterinary practice as specified in RSA 200-J:5. A 10 percent net tuition repayment shall be made upon entering into practice in this state and after each full year of practice for a maximum of 10 periods of repayment.
200-J:7 Fund Established.
I. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment fund. The fund shall include any sums appropriated for such purpose. In addition, the postsecondary education commission is authorized to accept public sector and private sector grants, gifts, or donations of any kind for the purpose of funding the provisions of this subdivision. The moneys in this fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the postsecondary education commission. The fund may be expended by the postsecondary education commission to accomplish the purposes of this subdivision. The state treasurer may invest moneys in the fund as provided by law, with interest received on such investment credited to the fund.
II. A minimum balance of $100,000 shall be in the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment fund prior to the selection of the first participating veterinarian. In order for additional veterinarians to participate in the program, $100,000 shall be available in the fund for each participating veterinarian.
200-J:8 Administration; Rulemaking. The postsecondary education commission, with the counsel of the state veterinarian, shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to procedures, eligibility, and qualifications for applicants, qualifying educational costs, criteria for terms of service by a large animal veterinarian, procedures for repayment of net tuition costs, and the administration of the program by the postsecondary education commission. The state veterinarian shall annually report to the general court on the effectiveness of this program.
112:2 Appropriation. The sum of $1 is hereby appropriated to the postsecondary education commission for deposit in the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment fund established in RSA 200-J:7. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
112:3 New Subparagraph; State Treasurer; Accounts. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (268) the following new subparagraph:
(269) Moneys deposited in the large animal veterinarian net tuition repayment fund established in RSA 200-J:7.
112:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved: June 3, 2008
Effective Date: June 3, 2008