29 Apr Colorado Veterinary Practice Act Now 85% Through the Legislative Process!
CVMA and CACVT have been working on the Sunset Review of the veterinary practice act and the Sunrise Review for veterinary technicians since mid-2019. For roughly two years, meetings, briefings, conversations, coordination, testimony, and follow-up work on the veterinary practice act have occupied the leaders, members, and staff of both organizations.
The end of the legislative session is near — where do things stand now?
Colorado’s 2022 Legislative Session began on January 12, 2022 and will end on May 11, 2022 – 120 days! The session is 93% complete — just 7% of the session remains!
The Veterinary Practice Act – HB22-1235 – was scheduled for the standard 13 hearings and votes. It’s now 85% through the process and has just 3 steps or 15% to go! Senate Appropriations Committee, and second and third reading in the Senate.
At this point in a legislative session, the Capitol takes on an intense, frenzy as legislators work against the clock to pass their bills. This week the legislature shifted into an “end of session mode” and began working late in the evening, and there is talk of weekend work in advance of the last day of the legislative session on May 11 – just 13 days away!
This week, on Wednesday, April 27, HB22-1235, Senator Joann Ginal eloquently presented the bill to the Senate Committee on Finance in the beautiful Old Supreme Court Chambers on the second floor of the capitol. You can listen to the hearing – the Veterinary Practice Act is 2:21:16 PM to 2:37.19 PM.
Michelle Larsen, DVM, CVMA Secretary/Treasurer-elect and Chair of the Practice Act Task Force, testified for CVMA and Erin Henninger, CVT, CACVT Executive Director, was CACVT’s witness. Their testimony was articulate, informative, and authoritative. The bill passed unanimously out of Senate Finance with a favorable recommendation to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Following the testimony, Michelle Larsen shared her thoughts:
“Now that I have digested this day it truly was one of the highlights of my career to have contributed to this sunset review and testify today. I am so proud to be a CO vet and thank you to everyone for having confidence in me to represent us!!
Thank you Leo [Boyle, CVMA Lobbyist] and Diane [Matt, CVMA CEO] for coaching. Hats off to Erin who was so well spoken and cool as a cucumber!!
What a profession and what an opportunity!”
The next steps will be second and third reading before the entire Senate, and when passed by the Senate, HB22-1235 will go to the Governor for signature. Bills become law 90 days after signing by the Governor.
You can see the progress on the bill on this dedicated webpage.