An Act To Encourage Veterinary Practice in Maine Amend the· bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following: Sec. 1. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1997, c. 765, § 1, is further. amended to read: 1. Positions. The Access to Medical Education Program is established under this section. Under this program, the chief executive officer shall secure up to U 20 positions annually for Maine students at schools of allopathic, or osteopathic or veterinary medical education up to an aggregate of 84 positions. Five positions are for students of osteopathic medicine, and 15 positions are for students of allopathic medicine and one position is for students of veterinary medicine. If there is an insufficient number of qualified applicants for positions in either allopathic or osteopathic medicine, the chief executive officer may increase or decrease the number of positions available in either discipline. The allopathic and osteopathic medicine positions are available only to eligible students commencing professional education on or after January 1, 1993. +fle veterinary medicine position is available to a student commencing medical education on or after January 1, 1999. Sec. 2. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997~ c. 765, § 1, is fllliher amended to read: 2. Application process. Students shall apply directly to an institution of allopathic, or osteopathic or veterinal)' medical education with which the authority has a contract to secure positions. Sec. 3. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 765, §I, is further amended to read: 3. Requirements. Each student obtaining a position in an institution of allopathic or osteopathic medical education shall enter into an agreement with the authority by which the student agrees during the student's medical education to complete clinical education in Page) - 124LR0342(02)-1 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0352
Committee Amendment CA_A_S258 (Senate)
Amends: 20-A MRSA §12105

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT." it" to S.P. 116, L.D. 352, Bill, "An Act To 
Encourage Veterinary Practice in Maine" 
Amend the· bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§l, as amended by PL 1997, c. 765, § 1, is 
further. amended to read: 
1. Positions. The Access to Medical Education Program is established under this 
section. Under this program, the chief executive officer shall secure up to U 20 positions 
annually for Maine students at schools of allopathic, or osteopathic or veterinary medical 
education up to an aggregate of 84 positions. 
Five positions are for students of 
osteopathic medicine, and 15 positions are for students of allopathic medicine and one 
position is for students of veterinary medicine. If there is an insufficient number of 
qualified applicants for positions in either allopathic or osteopathic medicine, the chief 
executive officer may increase or decrease the number of positions available in either 
discipline. 
The allopathic and osteopathic medicine positions are available only to 
eligible students commencing professional education on or after January 1, 1993. +fle 
veterinary medicine position is available to a student commencing medical education on 
or after January 1, 1999. 
Sec. 2. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997~ c. 765, § 1, is 
fllliher amended to read: 
2. Application process. Students shall apply directly to an institution of allopathic, 
or osteopathic or veterinal)' medical education with which the authority has a contract to 
secure positions. 
Sec. 3. 20-A MRS A §12103, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 765, §I, is 
further amended to read: 
3. Requirements. Each student obtaining a position in an institution of allopathic or 
osteopathic medical education shall enter into an agreement with the authority by which 
the student agrees during the student's medical education to complete clinical education in 
Page) - 124LR0342(02)-1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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35. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 116, L.D. 352 
rural areas and health professional shortage areas of this State as provided in the contract 
between the institutions of medical education and the authority. Each student obtaining a 
position in an institution of veterinary medical education shall enter into an agreement 
'.vith the authority by '."hich the student agrees during the student's medical education to 
complete clinical education in an area determined to have insufficient veterinary services 
as provided in the contmct benveen the institutions of veterinary medicine and the 
authority. 
Sec. 4. 20-A MRSA §12105, sub-§l, as amended by PL 2001, c. 479, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
1. 
Fund created. 
A nonlapsing, interest-earning, revolving fund under the 
jurisdiction of the authority is created to carry out the purposes of this chapter and chapter 
426~A. Any unexpended balance in the fund carries over for continued use under this 
chapter and chapter 426-A. The authority may receive, invest and expend, on behalf of 
the fund, money from gifts, grants, bequests and donations, or other sources in addition to 
money appropriated ·or allocated by the State. Loan repayments under this chapter and 
chapter 426-A or other repayments to the authority must be invested by the authority, as 
provided by law, with the earned income to be added to the fund. Money received by the 
authority on behalf of the fund, except interest income, must be used for such purposes; 
interest income may be used for such purposes or to pay ·student financial assistance 
administrative costs incurred by the authority. 
Sec. 5. 20-A MRS A §12105, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 830, §4 and c. 
832, § I 0, is amended to read: 
2. Separate account authorized. The authority may divide the fund into separate 
accounts it determines necessary or convenient for implementing this chapter and chapter 
426-A, including, but not limited to, accounts reserved for the purchase of positions and 
accounts reserved for loans. 
Sec. 6. 20-A MRSA §12105, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 830, §4 and c. 
832, § I 0, is amended to read: 
3. Allocation of repayments. The authority may allocate a portion of the annual 
loan repayments for the purpose of recruiting primary health care physicians for 
designated health professional shortage areas or veterinarians in areas of insufficient 
vete·rinary services. That portion may be used: 
A. 
To generate additional matching funds for recruitment of physicians for 
designated health professional shortage areas; er 
B. 
In accordance with criteria established by the authority, to encourage primary 
health care physicians to practice medicine in health professional shortage areas.,.~ 
C. 
To recruit veterinarians to areas with insufficient veterinary services as 
determined under chapter 426-A. 
Sec. 7. 20-A MRSA c. 426-A is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 426-A 
MAINE VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN PROGRAM 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to S.P. 116, L.D. 352 
§12311. Definitions 
As used. in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1. Authority. "Authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine. 
2. Chief executive officer. "Chief executive officer" means the Chief Executive 
Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine. 
3. Insufficient veterinary services. "Insufficient veterinary services" means an 
insufficient number of practitioners of veterinary medicine in· a veterinary specialty 
related to livestock, as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources. 
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4. Maine resident. "Maine resident" means a person who has been a resident of the 
State for a minimum of 2 years for purposes other than education at the time of the 
person's entry to a school of veterinary medicine as determined by rule of the authority. In 
determining residency, the authority shall consider: 
A. Length of residence in the State for other than tuition purposes; 
B. Secondary school attended; 
C. Legal residence of parents; 
. D. Place of voting registration, if registered to vote; 
E. Place where taxes are paid; and 
F. Other indicators established by the authority. 
5. Program. "Program" means the Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program. 
§12312. Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program 
231. Establishment. The Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program, referred to in 
this chapter as "the program," is established. The authority shall administer the program. 
Beginning January 1, 2010, the chief executive officer shall award up to 2 loans annually 
up to an aggregate of 8. Loans are available to Maine residents enrolled in a school of 
veterinary medicine. 
2. Application process. Application for participation in the program must be made 
directly to the authority. 
3. Eligibility. To be eligible to participate in the program, a person must be a Maine 
resident, be enrolled in a school of veterinaIY medicine and meet additional eligibility 
criteria established in rules adopted under section 12314. In selecting recipients, priority 
must be given to a student who: 
A. Previously received a loan pursuant to this section; 
B. Exhibits financial need; and 
C. Demonstrates an interest in practicing in an area with insufficient veterinary 
services. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMIITEE AMENDMENT" A" to S.P. 116, L.D. 352 
4. Maximum amount. The maximum loan amount available under the program to 
each participant is $25,000 per year for a period of up to 4 years. 
5. Loan agreement; forgiveness. A student selected as a loan recipient shall enter. 
into a loan agreement as set out in this subsection. 
A. Upon completion of professional education, the loan recipient shall repay the loan 
in accordance with this paragraph. 
(1) 
A loan recipient who does not obtain loan forgiveness pursuant to 
subparagraph (2) shall repay the entire principal of the loan plus simple interest at 
a rate to be determined by rule of the authority. 
Interest does not begin to accrue until the loan recipient completes veterinary 
medical education. 
(2) A loan recipient who, upon conclusion of the loan recipient's professional 
education, including any fellowships, elects to serve as a veterinarian in an area 
with insuffiCient veterinary services is forgiven 25% of the original outstanding 
indebtedness for each year of that practice. A loan recipient who practices in an 
area with insufficient veterinary services less than full time may receive prorated 
loan forgiveness. A loan recipient who devotes less than 50% of the recipient's 
practice to the care of livestock may receive prorated loan forgiveness. 
(3) A loan recipient must make a commitment to undertake specific training, 
including clinical experiences in livestock medicine. 
B. Loans must be repaid over a term no longer than 10 years, except that the chief 
executive officer may extend an individual's term as necessary to ensure repayment 
of the loan. Repayment must commence within 6 months of when the loan recipient 
completes, withdraws from or otherwise fails to continue veterinary medical 
education. 
C. Any veterinarian requesting forgiveness or an interest rate reduction under this 
section shall report annually to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources on the portion of the veterinarian's practice dedicated to livestock. 
6. Default. A loan recipient under the program who agrees to practice in an area 
with insufficient veterinary services in the State and who fails to complete the period of 
service required to payoff the loan is liable to the authority for an amount equal to the 
sum of the total amount paid by or on behalf uf the authority to or on behalf of the 
recipient under the agreement plus interest at a rate determined by the authority. Credit 
for practicing in an area with insufficient veterinaIY services is awarded for each 
consecutive 12-month period served. Exceptions may be made by the authority in 
accordance with subsection 7. 
7. Deferments. Defennents on the repayment of a loan under the program may be 
granted for causes established by rule of the authority. Interest at a rate to be determined 
by rule of the authority must be assessed during the deferment. The loan recipient's total 
debtto the authority, including principal and interest, must be repaid either through return 
service or cash payments. The chief executive officer shall make determinations of 
deferment on a case-by-case basis. The decision of the chief executive officer is final. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A " 
to S.P. 116, L.D. 352 
§12313. Selection committee for students of veterinary medicine 
The chief executive officer shall annually convene a selection committee of not fewer 
than 3 members to advise the authority in developing application materials designed to 
identify students likely to practice livestock veterinary medicine in the state and to make 
recommendations to the authority regarding the priority of applicants for loans to students 
of veterinary medicine. The selection committee must include the state veterinarian and a 
representative of a statewide association of veterinarians. 
§12314. Rules 
The authority shall establish rules necessary to implement this chapter. The 
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall adopt rules to establish 
criteria for determining areas of insufficient veterinary services for livestock, a definition 
of livestock and a method for determining the percent of a practice that is devoted to 
livestock. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in 
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. 8. Appropriations and allocations. 
The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE 
Student Financial Assistance Programs 0653 
Initiative: Provides funds for the Maine Veterinary Medicine Loan Program established 
within the Finance Authority of Maine for the administrative costs as well as funding for 
one loan per year. 
GENERAL FUND 
All Other 
GENERAL FUND TOTAL 
SUMMARY 
2009-10 
$6,000 
$6,000 
2010-11 
$30,000 
$30,000 
This amendment replaces the bill while preserving its intent. It establishes the Maine 
Veterinary Medicine Loan Program. The program would establish 2 forgivable loans per 
year for veterinary students through the Finance Authority of Maine. The program would 
promote veterinarian practice for livestock in areas that are insufficiently served. The 
amendment deletes references to veterinarian positions in the Access to Medical 
Education Program. The amendment also adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE'REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 05/25/09 wac::.. 
LD352 
LR 342(02) 
An Act To Encourage Veterinary Practice in Maine 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,A, 
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
2009-10 
2010-11 
Projections 
2011-12 
Projections 
2012-13 
Net Cost (Savings) 
General Fund 
Appropriations/Allocations 
General Fund 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
$6,000 
$6,000 
$30,000 
$55,000 
$80,000 
$30,000 
$55,000 
$80,000 
This bill includes General Fund appropriations of$6,000 in fiscal year 2009-10 and'$30,000 in fiscal year 2010-11 for 
the Student Financial Assistance program within the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) to fund the Maine 
Veterinary Medicine Loan Program. 
This legislation provides that FAME award up to 2 loans per year to eligible Maine residents, up to an aggregate of 8 
loans. It includes funding for 1 loan per year, with $25,000 being provided in fiscal year 2010-11 to fund the first year 
cost of one loan. FAME will require additional General Fund appropriations of $50,000 in fiscal year 2011-12, 
$75,000 in fiscal year 2012-13, and $100,000 in fiscal year 2013-14 to fund the cost of one additional loan per year. 
Additionally, the Finance Authority of Maine has indicated that one loan per year can be funded within the existing 
resources of the Access to Medical Education program and the Health Professions Loan Program. The $6,000 in 
fiscal year 2009-10 is for the initial costs to implement the loan program and $5,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 
2010-11 is for the ongoing cost of administering the program. 
Additional costs to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with rulemaking and 
determination of areas of insufficient livestock veterinary services can be absorbed within existing budgeted 
resources. 
LR0342(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1 
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