Lawmakers advance measure allowing trained non‑veterinarians to verify cattle pregnancies; one senator vows to oppose

The Capital Construction Subcommittee on June 18 recommended Senate Bill 976 be reported out with an amendment that removes a task force on equine dentistry and directs the Oregon Department of Agriculture to set rules under which individuals without a veterinary medical license but with training may perform cattle pregnancy verification.

Senate Bill 976 requires people performing pregnancy verification to report livestock diseases and directs the department to establish by rule the circumstances in which trained non‑veterinarians may perform verification services. The measure’s presenters said implementation costs are minimal and can be absorbed within the department’s existing budget.

"I'm historically, I have voted against the reduction of qualifications, and this is towards veterinarians," Senator Teran said, announcing she expected to be the only member to vote no. "You want veterinarians out in the rural areas, and this is kind of their bread and butter, and it just makes it more difficult for them to go out there. So I'll be in Naho," she said.

Representative Rhys Iverson, speaking for rural interests, said access to veterinarians in remote parts of the state can be difficult and that non‑veterinarian training may be needed to ensure animals receive timely care. "In rural Oregon sometimes it's getting very difficult to find these vets and get them to our sites because of travel times and distances so sometimes we have to get a little creative for how we actually take care of our cows," Rhys Iverson said.

The subcommittee recommended the measure, as amended, be reported out due pass as amended; the chair announced the motion passed. The transcript records dissent by Senator Teran but shows the committee advanced the bill.