Legislative

22 February

Frequently asked questions about the humane society legislation

wsvma   |   Legislative

The Humane Society legislation from 2018 has been amended and is back before the legislature for consideration. Senate Bill (SB) 5004, if passed, will allow humane societies to provide full veterinary services to low income pet owners. During the 2018 legislative session, the WSVMA asked the Senate Healthcare Committee to not act on the bill so that the WSVMA could hear from our members and have the opportunity to meet with the bill proponents. The Committee agreed as long as we...

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08 February

Veterinary Board of Governors to examine barrier to licensure

wsvma   |   Legislative

The Veterinary Board of Governors (board) is considering rulemaking to remove unnecessary barriers to licensure. The board has observed that veterinarians from other states who apply in Washington State occasionally face unnecessary barriers to licensure. As required by WAC 246-933-250(1), licensees must "successfully complete either the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE), or the National Board Examination for Veterinary Medical Licensing (NBE), with the Clinical Competency Test (CCT)". However, the CCT was not required prior to 1982. Applicants who took their...

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18 January

2019 Washington legislative session underway

wsvma   |   Legislative

The 2019 Washington State Legislature convened on Monday, January 14 for a scheduled 105-day legislative session. In contrast to most budget year sessions, where the legislative committees tend to focus the first week on committee subject matter introduction and background reports, this year the committees began the week hearing substantive issues related to climate, tax policy, education policy and other major issues. On Tuesday, Governor Inslee presented his State of the State address outlining his priorities for the 2019 session.  Much...

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04 January

WSVMA president highlights activities to ring in the new year

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, Legislative, Professional News, WSVMA News

Welcome to 2019!  One of the first events of the year is the opening of the Washington State Legislative Session beginning January 14th 2019.  The first bill to be presented is the WSVMA’s HEAL-WA bill. The WSVMA’s Heal-WA legislation grants veterinarians and veterinary technicians access to online medical publications. The 2018 Washington State Legislature adjourned in late March, but the WSVMA bill couldn’t compete with the over 800 bills introduced into the short 60-day session and our bill never made...

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09 November

Washington State General Election Results

wsvma   |   Legislative

Statewide vote counts from Tuesday’s election were updated Thursday evening. There are 4.3 million registered voters in Washington State.  As of this evening 2.5 million votes have been counted for a statewide turnout of 58.59%. Almost 500,000 ballots remain on hand to be processed, while more ballots may be received in the next few days. Any ballots post- marked by election day will be counted. Expect overall turnout to reach 70% or higher by the time all ballots are counted. Legislature...

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17 August

VBOG adding an additional training option for veterinary medication clerks

wsvma   |   Legislative

The Washington Veterinary Board of Governors is updating existing regulations that adds an educational training option for veterinary medication clerks (VMC) to meet their training requirements for registration. Currently, VMCs must complete the on-the-job Model Training Program developed by the Veterinary Board of Governors and the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. The proposed amendment is in response to a petitioner who requested additional options through educational training. Upon adoption of the rule, potential educational programs for VMCs must meet the same criteria...

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15 June

Prescription mandates: new bill, same problems

wsvma   |   Legislative

For several consecutive congressional sessions, the AVMA has led the charge to defeat legislation that would require veterinarians to provide written copies of all prescriptions for companion animals – even if not requested or wanted by the client. The misleadingly named “Fairness to Pet Owners Act” has had several sponsors over the years and has been introduced once again in both the House and Senate. Despite some language changes, the effect would be the same as in years past: this bill...

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01 June

Senate Bill 6196 and expanded veterinary services by WA shelters

wsvma   |   Legislative

In January, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington authored legislation, Senate Bill 6196, that would grant registered animal care and control agencies and humane societies in Washington the ability to provide full veterinary services to low income pet owners who fall below the 80% median income level. The intent of the legislation is to expand the law that currently limits shelter organizations to sterilization, vaccination and electronic identification. When a bill is introduced in the legislature that would affect veterinarians and...

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11 May

Political animals wanted

wsvma   |   Legislative

Well, not really, but we are in need of members who share an interest in veterinary issues as they intersect with the legislative process. 2018 is an election year and not just at the federal level. Elections for statewide offices are heating up. Members contribute money to the WSVMA-Political Action Committee (PAC) which is used to support candidates in the election that are friendly to veterinary issues, animal welfare and small business. For both the primary and the general election, the...

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13 April

Emergency volunteer veterinarians, CVI exemption removal and service animal bills signed into law

wsvma   |   Legislative

Following the close of the legislative session last month, Gov. Inslee signed veterinary and animal related bills into law. The Uniform Voluntary Health Practitioners Act was enacted, which will allow volunteer health practitioners, including veterinarians, who are licensed and in good standing in another state, to practice in Washington while an emergency declaration is in effect. Regardless of whether the practitioner is licensed in Washington or another state, they must provide services through a host entity, adhere to their scope...

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