Title: To expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems, and to develop educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine.
Policy area: Animals

Summary:
Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act or the Wildlife VET Act
This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to award grants to wildlife or veterinary institutions to create additional clinical and research positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians. Preference must be given to institutions that will create positions in areas of need, including wildlife disease research and training, disease surveillance, ecology and wildlife population management, and conservation and management of the health of endangered, threatened, and sensitive species.
Interior must establish: (1) the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program to pay educational loans of eligible individuals for a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine or a graduate degree in veterinary medicine, and (2) the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program to award students enrolled in an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine scholarships. Those loans may be repaid and the awards may be given only if the recipient of the loan or the award agrees to serve for at least four consecutive years at a wildlife or veterinary institution as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian.
Interior must also: (1) establish a pilot program to award grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine to develop or improve new or existing curricula that specialize in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine, and (2) award grants to eligible wildlife or veterinary institutions to establish or expand training programs that will enhance the ability of a trainee to practice as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 159 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 159

 To expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and 
   conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems, and to develop 
  educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary 
                               medicine.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 3, 2017

Mr. Hastings (for himself and Mr. Polis) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to 
  the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and 
   conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems, and to develop 
  educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary 
                               medicine.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be referred to as the ``Wildlife 
Veterinarians Employment and Training Act'' or the ``Wildlife VET 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Implementing authority and cooperation between departments and 
                            agencies.
    TITLE I--WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE WORKFORCE 
                               EXPANSION

Sec. 101. Grants to create positions for wildlife and zoological 
                            veterinarians.
Sec. 102. Loan repayment program for veterinary students and 
                            veterinarians specializing in wildlife and 
                            zoological populations.
Sec. 103. Scholarship program for veterinary students specializing in 
                            wildlife and zoological populations.
   TITLE II--WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE EDUCATIONAL 
                              DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 201. Grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary 
                            medicine for curricula in wildlife and 
                            zoological veterinary medicine.
Sec. 202. Grants to develop training programs in wildlife and 
                            zoological veterinary medicine.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Fish and wildlife are important natural resources of 
        the United States. They belong to all citizens, and are managed 
        in perpetuity by State and Federal conservation agencies, often 
        with significant assistance from universities, zoos, aquariums, 
        and nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations.
            (2) Wildlife and zoological veterinarians are the primary 
        source of essential health care for wild animals in their 
        natural habitat and in captivity in facilities such as zoos, 
        wildlife refuges, breeding reserves, and aquariums.
            (3) Wildlife and zoological veterinarians have the 
        resources and expertise necessary to help respond to 
        environmental disasters and address short-term and long-term 
        impacts on wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife and zoological 
        veterinarians have proven to be essential to the rescue and 
        rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region following 
        the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.
            (4) According to the Department of the Interior, wildlife 
        disease expertise and resources are critical to protecting both 
        human and animal life.
            (5) Wildlife veterinarians have been actively involved in 
        preventing, detecting, and responding to such important exotic, 
        dangerous, and zoonotic diseases as anthrax, avian influenza, 
        brucellosis, tuberculosis, West Nile virus, SARS, chronic 
        wasting disease, and foot and mouth disease.
            (6) Globalization, climate change, and wildlife habitat 
        loss and alteration, along with a growing interface among 
        humans, livestock, and wildlife have increased the threat posed 
        by emerging infectious diseases to humans, domestic animals, 
        and wildlife.
            (7) According to the February 2009 report by the Government 
        Accountability Office entitled ``Veterinarian Workforce: 
        Actions Are Needed to Ensure Sufficient Capacity for Protecting 
        Public and Animal Health'', the Nation is facing a growing 
        shortage of veterinarians, and the Federal Government may not 
        have the necessary veterinarian workforce to control pandemic 
        and large-scale outbreaks of disease.
            (8) There is a shortage of positions for wildlife and 
        zoological veterinarians at the State, Federal, nonprofit, and 
        university levels due to inadequate funding. According to the 
        American Veterinary Medical Association (``AVMA''), less than 
        one percent of AVMA members identify themselves as wildlife or 
        zoological veterinarians.
            (9) According to the AVMA, a growing number of students 
        enter veterinary schools with an interest in wildlife or 
        zoological veterinary medicine, but choose different fields of 
        study and practice due to the small number of positions 
        available for wildlife and zoological veterinarians upon 
        graduation.
            (10) Veterinary students face large educational debt upon 
        graduation. According to the AVMA, graduating student loan debt 
        averaged $151,672 in 2012, a 6.4 percent increase from 2011.
            (11) According to the American Association of Wildlife 
        Veterinarians (``AAWV'') and National Association of Federal 
        Veterinarians (``NAFV''), salaries for wildlife and zoological 
        veterinarians are relatively low compared to the average 
        salaries of veterinarians in companion animal medicine. Lower 
        salaries, combined with high educational debt and the small 
        number of positions available in wildlife and zoological 
        veterinary medicine, discourage students from pursuing careers 
        in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine.
            (12) According to the AAWV and NAFV, most schools and 
        colleges of veterinary medicine lack both a comprehensive 
        curriculum and sufficient numbers of formal educational 
        programs specializing in wildlife or zoological veterinary 
        medicine to adequately prepare graduates for a competitive 
        workplace.
            (13) According to the AVMA, while some training 
        opportunities exist for aspiring wildlife and zoological 
        veterinarians, such opportunities are not available each year, 
        pay low salaries or stipends, if any, and are highly 
        competitive.

SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

    The purposes of this Act are--
            (1) to create new funded positions for wildlife and 
        zoological veterinarians;
            (2) to limit the amount of educational debt for veterinary 
        medicine students while providing incentives to study and 
        practice wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine;
            (3) to help schools and colleges of veterinary medicine 
        develop or improve pilot curricula specializing in wildlife and 
        zoological veterinary medicine; and
            (4) to expand the number of training programs in wildlife 
        or zoological veterinary medicine for veterinary students.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Accredited school or college of veterinary medicine.--
        The term ``accredited school or college of veterinary 
        medicine'' means an institution of higher education (as defined 
        in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001)) that provides an educational program for which the 
        institution awards a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.
            (2) Doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.--The term 
        ``doctoral degree in veterinary medicine'' means a doctor of 
        veterinary medicine or veterinary medical doctor from an 
        accredited school or college of veterinary medicine.
            (3) Graduate degree in veterinary medicine.--The term 
        ``graduate degree in veterinary medicine'' means a master's 
        degree or Ph.D. in veterinary medicine or wildlife health 
        management from an accredited school or college of veterinary 
        medicine or a public or nonprofit department or school 
        described in paragraph (8)(E).
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (5) State or territory.--The term ``State or Territory'' 
        means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United 
        States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, and each federally recognized Indian tribe.
            (6) Veterinary medicine.--The term ``veterinary medicine'' 
        means all branches of, and specialties included within, the 
        practice of veterinary medicine, including--
                    (A) the diagnosis, treatment, correction, change, 
                alleviation, prevention, management of, or research on 
                animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, 
                injury, or other physical, dental, or mental 
                conditions; and
                    (B) the management of ecosystems on which wildlife 
                and zoological populations depend.
            (7) Wildlife.--The term ``wildlife'' means any member of 
        the animal kingdom and includes mammals, fish, birds, 
        amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, or arthropods. Such term does 
        not include plant or plant matter or any other member of 
        another kingdom.
            (8) Wildlife or veterinary institution.--The term 
        ``wildlife or veterinary institution'' means--
                    (A) any agency or department of a State or 
                Territory or of the Federal Government that employs 
                wildlife or zoological veterinarians, including a 
                wildlife conservation or natural resource management 
                agency;
                    (B) a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization;
                    (C) an accredited zoo or aquarium receiving peer-
                reviewed accreditation from a commissioned organization 
                that heeds rigorous publicly available standards, 
                utilizes notable experts in the field to conduct 
                comprehensive inspection and review, and provides 
                opportunity for public input;
                    (D) an accredited school or college of veterinary 
                medicine;
                    (E) a public or nonprofit department of comparative 
                medicine, department of veterinary science, department 
                of the environment and natural resources, school of 
                public health, or school of medicine that is accredited 
                by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or 
                association recognized by the Secretary of Education;
                    (F) a State or Territory, national, allied, or 
                regional veterinary organization or specialty board 
                recognized by the American Veterinary Medical 
                Association; or
                    (G) a university research foundation or veterinary 
                medical foundation.
            (9) Wildlife or zoological veterinarian.--The term 
        ``wildlife or zoological veterinarian'' means an individual who 
        has received a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine from an 
        accredited school or college of veterinary medicine and 
        practices veterinary medicine as applied to wildlife 
        populations--
                    (A) in their natural habitat; or
                    (B) in captivity in conservation centers including 
                zoos, aquariums, wildlife refuges, and breeding 
                reserves.

SEC. 5. IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY AND COOPERATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND 
              AGENCIES.

    The Secretary of the Interior shall carry out this Act. In carrying 
out this Act, the Secretary shall cooperate with the heads of such 
other departments and agencies of the Federal Government as the 
Secretary determines necessary.

    TITLE I--WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE WORKFORCE 
                               EXPANSION

SEC. 101. GRANTS TO CREATE POSITIONS FOR WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL 
              VETERINARIANS.

    (a) In General.--To create additional clinical and research 
positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians, the Secretary may 
award grants to wildlife or veterinary institutions that submit to the 
Secretary a proposal designed to create such positions. A proposal--
            (1) shall be submitted at such time, and in such form and 
        manner, as the Secretary may require; and
            (2) shall contain such information as the Secretary may 
        require, including a description of--
                    (A) each such position;
                    (B) the need of the wildlife or veterinary 
                institution for each such position;
                    (C) how each such position will advance the 
                conservation and management of wildlife or zoological 
                populations; and
                    (D) how the wildlife or veterinary institution will 
                use funds awarded under a grant.
    (b) Award.--The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure 
that, under this section, proposals are rigorously reviewed and grants 
are competitively awarded based on such considerations as the Secretary 
may determine necessary. Such considerations shall include--
            (1) the ability of a wildlife or veterinary institution to 
        describe and justify the need for each position in its proposal 
        under subsection (a)(2); and
            (2) the ability of the wildlife or veterinary institution 
        to create such positions.
    (c) Preference.--In awarding a grant under this section, the 
Secretary shall give preference to wildlife or veterinary institutions 
that will create positions in areas of need, including--
            (1) wildlife disease research;
            (2) disease surveillance;
            (3) wildlife disease training;
            (4) ecology and wildlife population management; and
            (5) conservation and management of the health of 
        endangered, threatened, and sensitive species.
    (d) Amount of Grant.--The amount of a grant made to a wildlife or 
veterinary institution under this section shall be determined by the 
Secretary, taking into account such factors as the Secretary may 
consider appropriate, including--
            (1) the contents of the proposal submitted by the wildlife 
        or veterinary institution under subsection (a); and
            (2) the number of grants available to all wildlife or 
        veterinary institutions.
    (e) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this 
section shall only be used by a wildlife or veterinary institution for 
purposes determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to create and 
support positions created under the proposal submitted by the wildlife 
or veterinary institution under subsection (a), including the payment 
of--
            (1) salaries for such positions; and
            (2) costs associated with the acquisition of material and 
        equipment necessary for the creation of the additional 
        positions.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2021. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are 
authorized to remain available until expended.

SEC. 102. LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS AND 
              VETERINARIANS SPECIALIZING IN WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL 
              POPULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--To expand the workforce of wildlife and zoological 
veterinarians, the Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as 
the ``Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment 
Program'' to enter into agreements with eligible individuals to make 
payments on their behalf for repayment of their educational loans.
    (b) Eligible Individual.--For purposes of this section, an 
individual shall be treated as an eligible individual if the 
individual--
            (1) is a United States citizen, national, or lawful 
        permanent resident;
            (2) either--
                    (A) has received, not before the date that is 10 
                years prior to the date on which the individual submits 
                an application under paragraph (3)--
                            (i) a doctoral degree in veterinary 
                        medicine; or
                            (ii) a graduate degree in veterinary 
                        medicine, providing that the individual 
                        received such degree after receiving a doctoral 
                        degree in veterinary medicine,
                that has been approved by the Secretary for purposes of 
                this section; or
                    (B) is enrolled in a full-time or part-time program 
                that--
                            (i) leads to--
                                    (I) a doctoral degree in veterinary 
                                medicine; or
                                    (II) a graduate degree in 
                                veterinary medicine, providing that the 
                                individual has received a doctoral 
                                degree in veterinary medicine; and
                            (ii) has been approved by the Secretary for 
                        purposes of this section; and
            (3) has prepared and submitted to the Secretary an 
        application at such time and in such form and manner as is 
        specified by the Secretary.
    (c) Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--No payment shall be made on behalf of an 
        eligible individual under the Wildlife and Zoological 
        Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program unless the eligible 
        individual has entered into an agreement with the Secretary 
        under this subsection.
            (2) Contents.--An agreement under this subsection shall 
        contain--
                    (A) an agreement by the Secretary to make payments 
                under subsection (e); and
                    (B) an agreement by the eligible individual--
                            (i) to serve for a period of no fewer than 
                        4 consecutive years at a wildlife or veterinary 
                        institution as--
                                    (I) a full-time wildlife or 
                                zoological veterinarian; or
                                    (II) with the approval of the 
                                Secretary, a part-time wildlife or 
                                zoological veterinarian, if no full-
                                time positions are available; and
                            (ii) to complete the service in clause (i) 
                        not later than 10 years after the later of the 
                        date on which the eligible individual--
                                    (I) receives a doctoral or graduate 
                                degree in veterinary medicine under 
                                subsection (b)(2); and
                                    (II) enters into the agreement 
                                under subsection (a).
    (d) Preference.--In making payments under this section, the 
Secretary shall give preference to an eligible individual who--
            (1) holds or is pursuing a doctoral or graduate degree in 
        veterinary medicine with a specialty in wildlife or zoological 
        veterinary medicine; or
            (2) is currently practicing wildlife or zoological 
        veterinary medicine.
    (e) Payments.--
            (1) In general.--Payments on behalf of an eligible 
        individual under this section shall include payment of the 
        principal and interest on the government loans of the eligible 
        individual, to the extent that the loans cover such expenses as 
        are determined by the Secretary to be associated with obtaining 
        a doctoral or graduate degree in veterinary medicine under 
        subsection (b)(2), including--
                    (A) tuition expenses;
                    (B) reasonable living expenses; and
                    (C) all other reasonable educational expenses 
                incurred by the grantee, including fees, laboratory 
                expenses, and expenses for books and equipment.
            (2) Amount.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to the limitations in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall develop 
                regulations to determine the amounts of payments for 
                each eligible individual under this section, 
                considering factors including--
                            (i) the degree held or pursued by the 
                        eligible individual;
                            (ii) the training programs in which the 
                        eligible individual has participated;
                            (iii) the total loan balance paid by the 
                        eligible individual;
                            (iv) the extent to which such determination 
                        affects the ability of the Secretary to 
                        maximize the number of agreements that can be 
                        provided under this section from the amounts 
                        appropriated for such agreements; and
                            (v) the extent to which such determination 
                        provides an incentive to serve as a wildlife or 
                        zoological veterinarian.
                    (B) Limitations.--Payments on behalf of an eligible 
                individual under this section shall not exceed, for 
                each year of service under subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)--
                            (i) $35,000 in aggregate; or
                            (ii) if the total loans of the eligible 
                        individual are less than $140,000, an amount 
                        that does not exceed an amount that is two-
                        thirds of the eligible loan balance.
            (3) Payment schedule.--The Secretary may enter into an 
        agreement with the holder of any loan for which payments are 
        made to establish a schedule for making payments under this 
        subsection.
    (f) Breach of Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), in the 
        case of any agreement entered into under subsection (a), an 
        eligible individual shall be liable to the Federal Government 
        for an amount, as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed 
        the total amount of any payments made by the Secretary on 
        behalf of the eligible individual under this section, and for 
        interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate, 
        as determined by the Treasurer of the United States, if the 
        eligible individual fails to meet a term of the agreement in 
        subsection (c)(2)(B).
            (2) Death.--Any obligation of an eligible individual under 
        the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment 
        Program for service or payment of damages shall be canceled 
        upon the death of the eligible individual.
            (3) Waiver or suspension of liability.--The Secretary shall 
        provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of 
        liability under paragraph (1), or of an obligation under 
        subsection (c)(2), if--
                    (A) the eligible individual is called to active 
                duty in the Armed Forces of the United States;
                    (B) compliance by the eligible individual with the 
                agreement is impossible or would cause extreme hardship 
                to the eligible individual; or
                    (C) enforcement of the agreement with respect to 
                the eligible individual would be unconscionable.
            (4) Date certain for recovery.--Any amount that the Federal 
        Government is entitled to recover under paragraph (1) shall be 
        paid to the United States not later than 3 years after the date 
        on which the United States becomes so entitled.
            (5) Availability.--Amounts recovered under paragraph (1) 
        shall be available to the Secretary for making payments under 
        this section and shall remain available for such purpose until 
        expended.
            (6) Regulations.--Prior to implementation of the Wildlife 
        and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program, the 
        Secretary shall establish, by regulation, procedures for 
        determining the amount of the repayment required under 
        paragraph (1).
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2021. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are 
authorized to remain available until expended.

SEC. 103. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS SPECIALIZING IN 
              WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL POPULATIONS.

    (a) In General.--To expand the workforce of wildlife and zoological 
veterinarians, the Secretary shall establish and carry out a program, 
to be known as the ``Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce 
Scholarship Program'', under which the Secretary shall enter into 
agreements with eligible students to award such eligible students 
scholarships for serving as wildlife or zoological veterinarians at 
wildlife or veterinary institutions upon graduation from an accredited 
school or college of veterinary medicine.
    (b) Eligible Student.--For purposes of this section, an individual 
shall be treated as an eligible student if the individual--
            (1) is a United States citizen, national, or a lawful 
        permanent resident;
            (2) is enrolled full-time, or has been accepted for full-
        time enrollment, at an accredited school or college of 
        veterinary medicine;
            (3) enrolls or plans to enroll, at the accredited school or 
        college of veterinary medicine in paragraph (2), in a course of 
        study or program that specializes or offers courses in wildlife 
        and zoological veterinary medicine, or any other course of 
        study or program that has been approved by the Secretary for 
        the purposes of this section; and
            (4) has submitted to the Secretary an application, and a 
        written contract under subsection (d), at such time and in such 
        form and manner as is specified by the Secretary.
    (c) Award.--
            (1) In general.--No scholarship shall be awarded to an 
        eligible student under the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary 
        Workforce Scholarship Program until the Secretary has accepted 
        the application and written contract submitted by the eligible 
        student under subsection (b)(4).
            (2) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide prompt written 
        notice to an individual upon the acceptance by the Secretary, 
        under paragraph (1), of a written contract.
    (d) Written Contract.--A written contract between the Secretary and 
an eligible student under this subsection shall contain--
            (1) an agreement by the Secretary to provide the eligible 
        student with a scholarship for each year of the course of study 
        or program described in subsection (b)(3), for a period of no 
        more than 4 years;
            (2) an agreement by the eligible student to--
                    (A) accept the scholarship;
                    (B) maintain enrollment in the approved course of 
                study or program described in subsection (b)(3) until 
                the individual completes the course of study or 
                program;
                    (C) maintain, over the course of the course of 
                study or program described in subsection (b)(3), such 
                level of academic standing as is determined by the 
                accredited school or college of veterinary medicine, 
                under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to be 
                acceptable;
                    (D) commence service at a wildlife or veterinary 
                institution no later than 4 years after the date the 
                eligible student graduates from the accredited school 
                or college of veterinary medicine; and
                    (E) serve at the wildlife or veterinary institution 
                in subparagraph (D) for a period of no fewer than 4 
                consecutive years as--
                            (i) a full-time wildlife or zoological 
                        veterinarian; or
                            (ii) with the approval of the Secretary, a 
                        part-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian, 
                        if no full-time positions are available;
            (3) a provision that any financial obligation of the United 
        States arising out of a contract entered into under this 
        section and any obligation of the individual which is 
        conditioned thereon, is contingent upon funds being 
        appropriated for scholarships under this section;
            (4) a statement of the damages to which the United States 
        shall be entitled, under subsection (i), for a breach of 
        contract; and
            (5) such other statements of the rights and liabilities of 
        the Secretary and of the individual as are not inconsistent 
        with the provisions of this title.
    (e) Amount of Scholarship.--With respect to an eligible student:
            (1) In general.--Subject to the limitation in paragraph 
        (2), in determining the amount of a scholarship, the Secretary 
        shall consider factors including--
                    (A) the degree that the eligible student is 
                pursuing or plans to pursue;
                    (B) educational costs;
                    (C) the financial need of the eligible student;
                    (D) the extent to which such determination affects 
                the ability of the Secretary to maximize the number of 
                scholarships that can be provided under this section 
                from the amounts appropriated for such scholarships; 
                and
                    (E) the extent to which such determination provides 
                an incentive to serve as a wildlife or zoological 
                veterinarian.
            (2) Limitation.--The amount of a scholarship shall not 
        exceed $35,000 for any school year.
    (f) Use of Funds.--Amounts received under a scholarship under this 
section shall be used to cover such expenses, with respect to an 
eligible student, as are determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, 
including--
            (1) tuition expenses;
            (2) reasonable living expenses; and
            (3) all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by 
        the eligible student, including fees, laboratory expenses, and 
        expenses for books and equipment.
    (g) Payments to Educational Institution.--Under the Wildlife and 
Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program, the Secretary may 
contract with the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine 
in which an eligible student is enrolled or has been accepted for 
enrollment to make payments for tuition, reasonable living expenses, 
and other reasonable educational expenses under subsection (f).
    (h) Breach of Contract.--
            (1) Liability.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an 
        eligible student who has entered into a written contract with 
        the Secretary under this section shall be liable to the United 
        States for the following amounts:
                    (A) Failure to complete course of study or 
                program.--The eligible student shall be liable for the 
                total amount that has been paid to the eligible student 
                under this section, and for interest on such amount at 
                the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the 
                Treasurer of the United States, if, under the course of 
                study or program under subsection (b)(2), the eligible 
                student--
                            (i) fails to maintain an acceptable level 
                        of academic standing under subsection 
                        (d)(2)(C);
                            (ii) is dismissed from the accredited 
                        school or college of veterinary medicine for 
                        disciplinary reasons; or
                            (iii) voluntarily ceases to participate in 
                        the course of study or program before 
                        completion of the course of study or program.
                    (B) Failure to complete service obligation.--The 
                eligible student shall be liable for an amount, as 
                determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the total 
                amount that has been awarded to the eligible student 
                under this section, and for interest on such amount at 
                the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the 
                Treasurer of the United States, if the eligible student 
                fails to begin or complete the service obligation under 
                subsection (d)(2)(D).
            (2) Death.--Any obligation of an eligible student under the 
        Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship 
        Program for service or payment of damages shall be canceled 
        upon the death of the eligible student.
            (3) Waiver or suspension of liability.--The Secretary shall 
        provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of 
        liability under paragraph (1), or of an obligation under 
        subsection (d)(2), if--
                    (A) the eligible student is called to active duty 
                in the Armed Forces of the United States;
                    (B) compliance by the eligible student with the 
                written contract is impossible or would cause extreme 
                hardship to the eligible student; or
                    (C) enforcement of the written contract with 
                respect to the eligible student would be 
                unconscionable.
            (4) Date certain for recovery.--Any amount that the Federal 
        Government is entitled to recover under paragraph (1) shall be 
        paid to the United States not later than 3 years after the date 
        the United States becomes so entitled.
            (5) Availability.--Amounts recovered under paragraph (1) 
        shall be available to the Secretary for making loan repayments 
        under this section and shall remain available for such purpose 
        until expended.
            (6) Regulations.--Prior to implementation of the Wildlife 
        and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program, the 
        Secretary shall establish, by regulation, procedures for 
        determining the amount of the repayment required under 
        paragraph (1).
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2021. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are 
authorized to remain available until expended.

   TITLE II--WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE EDUCATIONAL 
                              DEVELOPMENT

SEC. 201. GRANTS TO ACCREDITED SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF VETERINARY 
              MEDICINE FOR CURRICULA IN WILDLIFE AND ZOOLOGICAL 
              VETERINARY MEDICINE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to 
award grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine 
to develop or improve new or existing curricula that specialize in 
wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine, to be available to 
veterinary students in the final years of a program for which the 
accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine award a doctoral 
degree in veterinary medicine.
    (b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, an 
accredited school or college of veterinary medicine shall submit to the 
Secretary a proposal--
            (1) at such time and in such form and manner as the 
        Secretary may require; and
            (2) containing such information as the Secretary may 
        require, including a description of--
                    (A) the proposed curriculum in wildlife or 
                zoological veterinary medicine under subsection (a); 
                and
                    (B) how the accredited school or college of 
                veterinary medicine will use funds provided under the 
                grant.
    (c) Award.--The Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that 
proposals are rigorously reviewed and that grants are competitively 
awarded.
    (d) Amount.--The Secretary shall determine the amount of a grant 
awarded to an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine under 
this section, taking into account such factors as the Secretary 
considers appropriate, including--
            (1) the contents of the proposal submitted by the eligible 
        accredited school or college of veterinary medicine under 
        subsection (b); and
            (2) the number of grants available to all accredited 
        schools or colleges of veterinary medicine.
    (e) Use of Grant Funds.--Amounts received under a grant under this 
section shall be used to pay expenses related to the curriculum 
described in subsection (b)(2)(A) that are determined by the Secretary 
to be appropriate, including the expense of--
            (1) developing the curriculum;
            (2) paying for the costs associated with the development of 
        the curriculum, including faculty salaries and the costs of 
        acquisition of material and equipment; and
            (3) providing the curriculum.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) Grantees.--At the end of each calendar year, each 
        school that has received a grant under this section for such 
        year shall submit to the Secretary a report, in such form and 
        manner and containing such information as the Secretary may 
        require, on the effectiveness of the curriculum developed by 
        the school.
            (2) Secretary.--Not later than 6 months after completion of 
        the pilot program established under subsection (a), the 
        Secretary shall evaluate the curriculum developed by each 
        school that has received a grant under this section and submit 
        to Congress a report on the pilot program--
                    (A) in such form and manner as Congress may 
                require; and
                    (B) containing such information as Congress may 
                require, including--
                            (i) the names of the accredited schools and 
                        colleges of veterinary medicine that received a 
                        grant under this section;
                            (ii) the number of students enrolled in 
                        each curriculum developed with grant funds;
                            (iii) a description of each curriculum 
                        developed with grant funds;
                            (iv) an assessment of the effectiveness of 
                        the pilot program; and
                            (v) the recommendations of the Secretary 
                        regarding the extension or expansion of the 
                        pilot program.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2021. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are 
authorized to remain available until expended.

SEC. 202. GRANTS TO DEVELOP TRAINING PROGRAMS IN WILDLIFE AND 
              ZOOLOGICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall award competitive grants to 
eligible wildlife or veterinary institutions to establish or expand, 
for traineeship candidates, training programs that will enhance the 
ability of a trainee to practice as a wildlife or zoological 
veterinarian, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. Such 
training programs may include externship, internship, fellowship, or 
residency programs.
    (b) Eligible Wildlife or Veterinary Institution.--To be eligible 
for a grant under this section, a wildlife or veterinary institution 
shall submit to the Secretary a proposal designed to create or expand 
one or more training programs for traineeship candidates. The 
proposal--
            (1) shall be submitted at such time and in such form and 
        manner as the Secretary may require; and
            (2) shall contain such information as the Secretary may 
        require, including a description of--
                    (A) each training program to be created or 
                expanded;
                    (B) the skills to be imparted by each training 
                program;
                    (C) how the wildlife or veterinary institution will 
                use the funds provided under a grant; and
                    (D) how each training program will help a trainee 
                advance conservation and management goals for wildlife 
                or zoological animal populations.
    (c) Consideration of Proposals.--
            (1) Preference.--In awarding a grant under this section, 
        the Secretary shall give preference to an eligible wildlife or 
        veterinary institution offering a training program--
                    (A) at rotating sites, particularly in the case of 
                a residency program; and
                    (B) under which trainees conduct research and teach 
                veterinary students.
            (2) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish procedures 
        to ensure that proposals are rigorously reviewed and that 
        grants are competitively awarded.
    (d) Traineeship Candidate.--For purposes of this section, an 
individual shall be treated as a traineeship candidate if the 
individual--
            (1) is a citizen of the United States, a national, or a 
        lawful permanent resident;
            (2) expresses a profound interest in wildlife or zoological 
        veterinary medicine and a commitment to becoming a wildlife or 
        zoological veterinarian; and
            (3) has submitted to a wildlife or veterinary institution 
        offering a training program under subsection (a) an application 
        for the training program containing such information as may be 
        required by the wildlife or veterinary institution.
    (e) Financial Assistance Under Training Program.--Under a training 
program, a trainee shall, for the duration of the training program, be 
provided with--
            (1) a stipend, in an amount based on criteria to be 
        determined by the wildlife or veterinary institution, 
        including--
                    (A) the type and length of the training program;
                    (B) the responsibilities assigned to the trainee as 
                part of the training program;
                    (C) the academic level or degree held by the 
                trainee; and
                    (D) the relevant experience of the trainee; and
            (2) such other financial assistance as the wildlife or 
        veterinary institution determines necessary and is approved by 
        the Secretary.
    (f) Approval of Placement Under Training Program.--
            (1) In general.--No traineeship candidate shall be placed 
        in a training program without the approval of the Secretary.
            (2) Notice.--A traineeship candidate shall be informed of 
        placement in a training program upon approval by the Secretary.
    (g) Amount of Grant.--The Secretary shall determine the amount of a 
grant awarded under this section for a training program, taking into 
account such factors as the Secretary considers appropriate, 
including--
            (1) the type of training that the wildlife or veterinary 
        institution desires to create or expand;
            (2) the contents of the proposal submitted by the wildlife 
        or veterinary institution under subsection (b); and
            (3) the number of grants available to all wildlife or 
        veterinary institutions.
    (h) Use of Grant Funds.--Under this section, amounts received under 
a grant shall be applied to such costs as the Secretary considers 
appropriate for the planning, development, and operation of the 
training program, including the costs associated with--
            (1) the development of the curriculum to be used in the 
        program;
            (2) practicum experiences;
            (3) the acquisition of new equipment; and
            (4) the stipend and other financial assistance provided to 
        the trainee under subsection (e).
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2021. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are 
authorized to remain available until expended.
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