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Committee hears bill to offer up to $100,000 in loan aid to veterinarians serving rural Kansas
Summary
The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources heard testimony on House Bill 25 82, which would create a Department of Agriculture program to provide awards of up to $100,000 to licensed veterinarians who practice in qualifying rural counties or at practices where food-animal cases make up at least half of work. Witnesses praised retention potential but fiscal staff noted the bill contains no funding source.
TOPEKA — The Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on Friday opened a hearing on House Bill 25 82, a proposal to create a loan-repayment program intended to boost the number of veterinarians serving food-animal producers in rural Kansas.
Kyle Hamilton, the reviser called to explain the bill, told the committee the proposed Developing Veterinary Medicine in Rural Kansas (DVMRK) program would be administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and “would provide awards of up to a $100,000 per individual or the total of the individual's education debt balance, whichever is less.” The bill defines a qualifying rural county as one with a population not exceeding 40,000 or a practice where food-animal patients account for at least 50% of veterinary work when an applicant enters the program. Recipients would be required to practice full time in a qualifying rural community for four continuous years or repay awards, plus interest, subject to prorating for periods of service.
The bill would also establish an advisory committee appointed by the secretary of agriculture to review applications and set program specifics,…
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