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GeorgiaHB 1722025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Veterinary education; limits on student loan forgiveness program; provide

Sponsored By: Robert Dickey (Republican), Chuck Efstration (Republican), Jaclyn Ford (Republican), Spencer Frye (Democrat), David Huddleston (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Higher loan relief for rural vets

The law raises the maximum veterinary education loan purchase from $80,000 to $90,000 per person. Approved applicants earn $30,000 in loan relief for each 12 months of qualifying service after entering an agreement. Service must take place in a board-approved rural Georgia county. Three years of qualifying service earns the full $90,000 maximum. The board sets payment methods and timing.

More counties qualify, but vet eligibility narrows

Applicants must be Georgia residents with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent and authority to practice in Georgia. They must practice food-animal specialties in Georgia and have done so for 10 years or less. Required service takes place in a board-approved rural Georgia county. The law raises the county population limit from 35,000 to 50,000. Population counts use the 2020 census or a future census.

Simpler vet contracts, but no repeat awards

Veterinarians can receive only one loan-purchase award in their lifetime, under a written contract lasting three consecutive years. Participants do not need to reapply, but the board may require yearly proof of compliance during and after the contract. The Attorney General must approve the contract form. The board chair and applicant must sign it before a loan purchase. The board may cancel contracts for sufficient cause, but cancellation cannot be arbitrary or unreasonable.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Robert Dickey

    Republican • House

  • Chuck Efstration

    Republican • House

  • Jaclyn Ford

    Republican • House

  • Spencer Frye

    Democrat • House

  • David Huddleston

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 207 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 43 • No: 4 • Other: 7

House vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 164 • No: 4 • Other: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Act 119

    5/12/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/9/2025House

  5. Senate Taken from Table

    4/4/2025Senate

  6. Senate Third Read

    4/4/2025Senate

  7. Senate Passed/Adopted

    4/4/2025Senate

  8. Senate Taken from Table

    4/2/2025Senate

  9. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  10. Senate Tabled

    4/2/2025Senate

  11. Senate Tabled

    3/31/2025Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    3/18/2025Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    2/27/2025Senate

  15. House Third Readers

    2/26/2025House

  16. House Passed/Adopted

    2/26/2025House

  17. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/20/2025House

  18. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    2/18/2025House

  19. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/13/2025House

  20. House Second Readers

    2/3/2025House

  21. House First Readers

    1/30/2025House

  22. House Hopper

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 172/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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