The Senate Rural Affairs Subcommittee on Tuesday voted 5-0 to report Senate Bill 921, which would establish a large-animal veterinarian incentive grant program administered by the state veterinarian. The measure was presented by Sen. Travis Hackworth (5th Senate District).

The bill would direct the state veterinarian to work with stakeholders to set eligibility and award criteria and require a report to the General Assembly on the program’s effectiveness by July 1, 2030. Sen. Hackworth said the bill responds to a shortage identified by a task force formed under prior legislation.

"This is going to establish an incentive grant program," Martha Moore of the Virginia Farm Bureau told the committee. "We're in, we've completed the 1st year of the stakeholder work group. . . . This incentive program is designed to be maximum flexibility to solve problems, to award up to 4 incentive grants a year." The Farm Bureau testified in support of the bill.

Hackworth and witnesses cited a persistent pay gap between veterinarians who work with companion animals and those who work with livestock. The bill discussion referenced student-loan burdens and transition incentives to encourage veterinarians to practice in rural and large-animal settings.

Sen. Angela Williams Graves said rural distances to veterinary care can be critical for livestock, adding that the program could help young and beginning farmers access veterinary services. "That commute distance can mean the difference between life and death of an animal," she said.

Sen. Hackworth noted Sen. Morrison has offered a budget amendment proposing $450,000 to support the program; the bill itself establishes the program mechanism and does not require state funding unless appropriated. The committee reported the bill to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

The bill will move to the next committee of referral or to the full Senate for further consideration. The subcommittee record shows no formal amendments were adopted at the meeting.