On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, the New Hampshire (NH) House Committee on Executive Departments and Administration will hear public testimony on House Bill 1526, which seeks to increase access to veterinary professionals.
SUMMARY: HB 1526 would authorize the board of veterinary medicine to issue a conditional license to a foreign-educated veterinarian currently in the process of obtaining an Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certificate who has completed all steps of the ECFVG except the clinical proficiency examination (CPE), if the veterinarian has:
- Proof of legal immigration status in the United States
- Applied and is waiting to take the CPE, has taken the CPE and is awaiting results or passed the CPE and has applied for the New Hampshire examination, and
- Employment and supervision by a New Hampshire licensed veterinarian.
The veterinarian work force shortage experienced across the country is often highlighted in New Hampshire. Last June, WMUR News 9 reported that an estimated 620 licensed veterinarians in the state are seeing increased demand for services, burnout after the pandemic, and turnover at a rate twice that of medical physicians. Veterinarians try their best to accommodate owners’ needs, but appointments are booking months in advance for wellness checkups like vaccines.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) supports the HB 1526 goal of enhancing timely access to professional veterinary medicine. Proper care and humane treatment of dogs includes regular veterinary care, an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, safe and clean living and travel conditions, kind and responsive human companionship, and training in appropriate behavior.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: New Hampshire residents are strongly encouraged to electronically register your support by emailing members of the House Committee on Executive Departments and Administration. Explain what challenges you have faced getting veterinarian appointments for your dogs.
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT:
- Email committee members using “Support HB 1526” in your email subject line.
- In your email, identify what city/town you’re emailing from.
- Send your email to all members of the committee by copying the addresses below.
State Representative McGuire, Chair – carol@mcguire4house.com
State Representative Simon, Vice Chair – Matthew.Simon@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Sirois, Clerk – Shane.Sirois@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Bailey – grbailey@metrocast.net
State Representative Boyd- seboyd2020@gmail.com
State Representative Brown – Carroll.Brown@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Davis- Fred.Davis@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Dolan – Tom.Dolan@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Fitzpatrick – Daniel.Fitzpatrick@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Gerhard – Jason.Gerhard@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Goley – jgoley03104@yahoo.com
State Representative Gould – Sherry.Gould@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Grote – Jaci.Grote@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Lekas- rep.tony.lekas@gmail.com
State Representative Mangipudi – Latha.Mangipudi@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative McGuire – carol@mcguire4house.com
State Representative O’Brien – Michael.O’Brien@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Santanastaso – Santonastaso@CheshireLiberty.com
State Representative Schmidt – peterbarrettschmidt@gmail.com
State Representative Schuett- Dianne.Schuett@leg.state.nh.us
State Representative Smith – Juliet.Smith@leg.state.nh.us
4. You may also register your support on the New Hampshire General Court’s website available. Note that testimony submitted on the portal is made publicly available. After providing your personal information, select the February 6 hearing date. Using the drop-down menus, select the House Executive Departments and Administration and 1:45PM HB 1526 in order to register your support of the bill.
5. You may speak in person at the February 6, 2024, hearing. Consideration of HB 1526 is scheduled to begin at 1:45PM in Room 305 of the Legislative Office Building, 33 North State Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301. Sign in to testify when you arrive.
For more information on these or other legislative issues in New Hampshire, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Dog Owners of the Granite State at dogs.nh@gmail.com.