Veterinary medicine; creating the Veterinary Telemedicine for Livestock Care Act; stating requirements for use of telemedicine in veterinarian care. Emergency.

SB 1677, the "Veterinary Telemedicine for Livestock Care Act," establishes rules for Oklahoma veterinarians to use telemedicine (remote care via video, photos, or electronic records) when in-person visits aren't immediately possible to prevent death, serious harm, or unnecessary suffering in livestock. It requires veterinarians to gather sufficient clinical information through telecommunication methods, document encounters like in-person visits, and prohibits using telemedicine for routine procedures like annual herd vaccinations without State Board approval. The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will create rules covering telemedicine standards, recordkeeping, veterinarian training, and medication prescribing limitations. The law directly affects licensed veterinarians and livestock owners/caretakers across Oklahoma's agricultural sector.