Bill
Bill > A3410
NJ A3410
NJ A3410Establishes loan redemption program for certified veterinarians employed as large animal veterinarians in New Jersey.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Redemption Program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Under the program, a participant would redeem 20 percent of eligible student loan expenses for each year of service as a large animal veterinarian in a State-designated underserved area. Eligible student loan expenses is defined as the cumulative total of the principal and interest due on student loans used to cover the cost of attendance while enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution of higher education. Program participants are matched to State-designated underserved areas by the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. Under the bill, each program participant must be a resident of the State, be a graduate of a veterinary school approved by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, have completed a professional residency program and received a recommendation from the director of the training program concerning participation in the loan redemption program, and agree to practice large animal veterinary medicine in a State-designated underserved area. The contract would be for five one-year periods and would specify the total amount of debt to be redeemed by the State in return for the service. Eligible loans will not be redeemed for service of less than one full year annually.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Large Animal Veterinarian Loan Redemption Program within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to address a shortage of large animal veterinarians in New Jersey. The program allows eligible veterinarians, who are New Jersey residents, have graduated from an approved veterinary school, completed a residency, and agree to practice in a State-designated underserved area, to have 20 percent of their eligible student loan expenses (which includes the principal and interest on loans for tuition, education, and living costs) redeemed by the state for each full year of service. This service commitment is for a contract of five one-year periods, with a total redemption of 100 percent of eligible student loan expenses after five years of service. A "State-designated underserved area" is defined as a location identified by the Secretary of Agriculture as having a shortage of large animal veterinarians. The Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, will match program participants to these areas. Participants can nullify the contract by repaying any unredeemed loan amounts, and the obligation may be nullified in cases of death, total disability, or extreme hardship.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3410 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3410_I1.HTM |
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