Wildlife, assistance dogs, and military veterinarians are just some of the subjects of bills added to the AVMA’s federal legislative agenda.
The Executive Board approved various AVMA responses to a slate of bills identified by its Legislative Advisory Committee.
Initiatives designated for “active pursuit of passage” by the Association in the 111th Congress are as follows:
- A congressional resolution honoring the 250th world anniversary of the veterinary profession. In 2011, the profession will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the world’s first veterinary school, in Lyon, France. The congressional resolution would acknowledge the contributions of the veterinary profession while recognizing the importance of this momentous milestone.
- A congressional resolution recognizing National Dog Bite Prevention Week in 2010.
- Legislation authorizing commission of Army Reserve Veterinary Corps officers at the rank of captain. Active-duty veterinarians entering the Army Veterinary Corps are commissioned into the corps at the rank of captain. Army Reserve Veterinary Corps officers are, however, commissioned at the rank of first lieutenant unless they get credit for their years in veterinary medicine after graduation. First lieutenants are expected to perform the same duties as captains; they do not have the same authority to carry out these tasks, however. Additionally, military pay is related to rank, which is consistent with the AVMA Governmental Relations Division’s current federal equity in pay initiative. Continue reading…
