SB 493 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO VETERINARIANS.

Summary

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Fee to support recruitment and retention of veterinarians in the State. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB493 → SB493_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new program to address Hawaii's veterinarian shortage by creating a special fund for loan repayment and scholarships. It establishes a $60 annual license fee specifically for license renewals starting in 2025 to fund this initiative. The bill also extends the effective date of the legislation from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, significantly delaying when the program and fee begin.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new 'Veterinary Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program' and a mandatory fee for license renewals, while the applicability timeline was altered to start in 2050 instead of 2025.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Veterinary Workforce Development Special Fund' to support loan repayment and scholarships for veterinarians.

REQUIREMENT

Established a $60 license fee that is now required only when a veterinarian renews their license, effective July 1, 2025.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the entire Act from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, delaying the start of the fee and program by 25 years.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a privacy provision requiring express written consent from a veterinarian before the board can disclose their specific personal or professional information.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 437) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 9:35AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

7 primary · 1 co-sponsor