Legislative Agenda and Updates

Legislative Agenda

2022 MVMA Legislative Priorities

1. Educate legislators and relevant interest groups about the issues and concerns associated with the Companion Animal Board bill. Actively oppose this bill and others intended to negatively change the current mission and effectiveness of the BAH.
2. Actively support the Licensed Veterinary Technician bill.
3. Support the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine and its funding and improvements requests at the legislature. In addition, support the College’s efforts to limit tuition increases, to reduce student debt, and start new vet. tech. program.
4. Support the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) and its funding and improvements requests at the Legislature.
5. Support the funding requests of the Board of Animal Health and of the Board of Veterinary Medicine at the Legislature, and support both boards’ independent status.
6. Support legislation that provides financial support for research, education, and outreach initiatives surrounding animal health.
7. Actively monitor legislative proposals pertaining to veterinary drug compounding and proactively advocate for maintaining current veterinary drug dispensing practices.
8. Actively monitor legislative proposals pertaining to mandatory opioid prescription drug reporting and its impact on veterinarians.
9. Support a legislative initiative that establishes a statewide registry of dangerous dogs.
10. Oppose proposals pertaining to the ban of gas chambers for euthanasia in shelters.

2022 MVMA Public Policy Principles

1.Continually review, protect, and update the Veterinary Practice Act in order to ensure it is purposeful and functional for the industry.
2.Actively monitor legislative activity pertaining to the scope of practice issues.
3.Monitor the veterinary nurses (veterinary technicians) initiative that is being promoted by NAVTA.
4.Support further discussions with individuals or entities with regard to spay/neuter programs in Minnesota.
5.Support state funding for the Minnesota veterinary student loan repayment program.
6.Support Minnesota Animal Agriculture.
7.Monitor the declawing issue and continue to be engaged with this issue.
8.Actively monitor the new criminal background check’s plan and policies for veterinarians.
9.Monitor and collaborate with other stakeholders on mandatory dog/cat rabies vaccination
10.Monitor medical marijuana proposals for pets
11.Monitor and explore opportunity to modify the animal chiropractic situation.
12.Monitor and explore opportunity to include proper training and education to EMS.