Bill > HB90

This bill establishes the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program in New Mexico, designed to address veterinarian shortages in underserved areas, particularly for food-animal veterinary services. The program will allow the Higher Education Department to select up to ten qualified veterinarians annually who are licensed in New Mexico and working full-time in designated underserved areas to receive loan repayment assistance. Recipients can receive up to $15,000 for each of the first two years and up to $25,000 for each of the second two years, with a total maximum award of $80,000, contingent upon completing a four-year service commitment in an underserved area. A veterinarian selection committee composed of the state veterinarian, a New Mexico State University extension veterinarian, and the chair of the board of veterinary medicine will help identify these areas and select participants. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, New Mexico residents, licensed veterinarians in the state, and employed full-time providing food-animal veterinary services in a designated underserved area. The bill creates a non-reverting fund with an initial appropriation of $5 million and includes provisions for penalties if recipients fail to meet contract obligations, such as potential repayment of up to three times the award amount plus interest. The program aims to improve veterinary medical services in rural and underserved communities by incentivizing veterinarians to practice in these areas.

Education

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=90&year=25