BILL NUMBER:  S3493

 TITLE OF BILL :
An act to amend chapter 80 of the laws of 2000 amending the education
law relating to the abolition of citizenship requirements for
licensure as a veterinarian, in relation to making certain provisions
of the education law permanent


 PURPOSE :
This bill will allow the Board of Regents to certify the existence of
a shortage and allow the employment of an otherwise qualified
applicant regardless of such person's citizenship.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :
This legislation amends section 3 of chapter 80 of the laws of 2000
amending the education law relating to the abolition of citizenship
requirements for licensure as a veterinarian, as amended by chapter
201 of the laws of 2007.

 JUSTIFICATION :
In 2000, 2003 and, on a more limited basis in 2006, the Legislature
and Governor acted to address the chronic shortage of qualified
veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians in the state,
especially in the northern and western regions of the state where a
number of otherwise eligible Canadian applicants for licensure were
              

available for employment Chapter 558 of the Laws of 2003 extended this
effective law for an additional three years Chapter 476 of the Laws of
2006 extended the ability of the State Education Department to so act
although on a much more limited basis.

The Adirondack region of the state has an especially egregious
shortage of veterinarians and, due to its proximity to the Canadian
border, it is likely that the public interest in having quality
veterinary care available for both companion and production animals
will be served from the enactment of this legislation.

The situation is similar in other regions of the state. For example in
the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area, there are presently a significant
number of professional vacancies. At the same time, only two students
at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University are from
this area, with the result that there is little prospect of meeting
the demand for quality and affordable veterinary care in this region.
Similar shortages are now the norm in the Rochester area, the Capital
District, and are becoming more prevalent in the Hudson Valley, the
New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. This bill will
allow the Board of Regents to certify the existence of a shortage and
allow the employment of an otherwise qualified applicant regardless of
such person's citizenship.

There is no rational basis for the differing citizenship requirements.
This bill will work a compromise by leaving intact citizenship
requirements while allowing the State Education Department a tool to
utilize in its discretion to help fill the shortage of veterinarians
in all areas of the state without the repeal of this requirement.
Enactment of this legislation will work to meet the goals of the Trade
Agreement between the United States and Canada that was enacted to
eliminate barriers to professional practice among qualified
practitioners from both nations who meet the standards for licensure
that the countries have established.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
New Bill for 2007; substantively similar to Chapter 80 of the Laws of
2000 and Chapter 558 of the Laws of 2003 and a revision of Chapter 476
of the Laws of 2006.  A.7233-B/S.4083-B of 2008.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately.