113 HR 2796 IH: Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2013-07-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be
referred to as the Wildlife
Veterinarians Employment and Training Act
or the
Wildlife VET
Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Implementing authority and cooperation between
departments and agencies.
Title I—Wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine workforce
expansion
Sec. 101. Grants to create positions for wildlife and
zoological veterinarians.
Sec. 102. Loan repayment program for veterinary students and
veterinarians specializing in wildlife and zoological populations.
Sec. 103. Scholarship program for veterinary students
specializing in wildlife and zoological populations.
Title II—Wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine educational
development
Sec. 201. Grants to accredited schools and colleges of
veterinary medicine for curricula in wildlife and zoological veterinary
medicine.
Sec. 202. Grants to develop training programs in wildlife and
zoological veterinary medicine.
2.Congress makes the following
findings:
(1)Fish and wildlife are important natural
resources of the United States. They belong to all citizens, and are managed in
perpetuity by State and Federal conservation agencies, often with significant
assistance from universities, zoos, aquariums, and nonprofit and
non-governmental organizations.
(2)Wildlife and zoological veterinarians are
the primary source of essential health care for wild animals in their natural
habitat and in captivity in facilities such as zoos, wildlife refuges, breeding
reserves, and aquariums.
(3)Wildlife and zoological veterinarians have
the resources and expertise necessary to help respond to environmental
disasters and address short-term and long-term impacts on wildlife and their
habitats. Wildlife and zoological veterinarians have proven to be essential to
the rescue and rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region following
the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.
(4)According to the Department of the
Interior, wildlife disease expertise and resources are critical to protecting
both human and animal life.
(5)Wildlife veterinarians have been actively
involved in preventing, detecting, and responding to such important exotic,
dangerous, and zoonotic diseases as anthrax, avian influenza, brucellosis,
tuberculosis, West Nile virus, SARS, chronic wasting disease, and foot and
mouth disease.
(6)Globalization, climate change, and wildlife
habitat loss and alteration, along with a growing interface among humans,
livestock, and wildlife have increased the threat posed by emerging infectious
diseases to humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
(7)According to the February 2009 report by
the Government Accountability Office entitled Veterinarian Workforce:
Actions Are Needed to Ensure Sufficient Capacity for Protecting Public and
Animal Health, the Nation is facing a growing shortage of veterinarians,
and the Federal Government may not have the necessary veterinarian workforce to
control pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of disease.
(8)There is a shortage of positions for
wildlife and zoological veterinarians at the State, Federal, nonprofit, and
university levels due to inadequate funding. According to the American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), less than one percent of
AVMA members identify themselves as wildlife or zoological
veterinarians.
(9)According to the AVMA, a growing number of
students enter veterinary schools with an interest in wildlife or zoological
veterinary medicine, but choose different fields of study and practice due to
the small number of positions available for wildlife and zoological
veterinarians upon graduation.
(10)Veterinary students face large educational
debt upon graduation. According to the AVMA, graduating student loan debt
averaged $151,672 in 2012, a 6.4 percent increase from 2011.
(11)According to the American Association of
Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV) and National Association of Federal
Veterinarians (NAFV), salaries for wildlife and zoological
veterinarians are relatively low compared to the average salaries of
veterinarians in companion animal medicine. Lower salaries, combined with high
educational debt and the small number of positions available in wildlife and
zoological veterinary medicine, discourage students from pursuing careers in
wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine.
(12)According to the AAWV and NAFV, most
schools and colleges of veterinary medicine lack both a comprehensive
curriculum and sufficient numbers of formal educational programs specializing
in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine to adequately prepare graduates
for a competitive workplace.
(13)According to the AVMA, while some training
opportunities exist for aspiring wildlife and zoological veterinarians, such
opportunities are not available each year, pay low salaries or stipends, if
any, and are highly competitive.
3.The purposes of this Act are—
(1)to create new funded positions for wildlife
and zoological veterinarians;
(2)to limit the amount of educational debt for
veterinary medicine students while providing incentives to study and practice
wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine;
(3)to help schools and colleges of veterinary
medicine develop or improve pilot curricula specializing in wildlife and
zoological veterinary medicine; and
(4)to expand the number of training programs
in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine for veterinary students.
4.For purposes of this Act, the following
definitions apply:
(1)Accredited
school or college of veterinary medicineThe term accredited school or college
of veterinary medicine means an institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001))
that provides an educational program for which the institution awards a
doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.
(2)Doctoral degree
in veterinary medicineThe term doctoral degree in
veterinary medicine means a doctor of veterinary medicine or veterinary
medical doctor from an accredited school or college of veterinary
medicine.
(3)Graduate degree
in veterinary medicineThe term graduate degree in
veterinary medicine means a master’s degree or Ph.D. in veterinary
medicine or wildlife health management from an accredited school or college of
veterinary medicine or a public or nonprofit department or school described in
paragraph (8)(E).
(4)The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(5)The term
State or Territory means each of the several States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United
States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
and each federally recognized Indian tribe.
(6)The term veterinary medicine means all
branches of, and specialties included within, the practice of veterinary
medicine, including—
(A)the diagnosis,
treatment, correction, change, alleviation, prevention, management of, or
research on animal disease, illness, pain, deformity, defect, injury, or other
physical, dental, or mental conditions; and
(B)the management of
ecosystems on which wildlife and zoological populations depend.
(7)The term wildlife means any
member of the animal kingdom and includes mammals, fish, birds, amphibians,
reptiles, mollusks, or arthropods. Such term does not include plant or plant
matter or any other member of another kingdom.
(8)Wildlife or
veterinary institutionThe term wildlife or veterinary
institution means—
(A)any agency or
department of a State or Territory or of the Federal Government that employs
wildlife or zoological veterinarians, including a wildlife conservation or
natural resource management agency;
(B)a nonprofit
wildlife conservation organization;
(C)an accredited zoo or aquarium receiving
peer-reviewed accreditation from a commissioned organization that heeds
rigorous publicly-available standards, utilizes notable experts in the field to
conduct comprehensive inspection and review, and provides opportunity for
public input;
(D)an accredited
school or college of veterinary medicine;
(E)a public or
nonprofit department of comparative medicine, department of veterinary science,
department of the environment and natural resources, school of public health,
or school of medicine that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting
agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education;
(F)a State or
Territory, national, allied, or regional veterinary organization or specialty
board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association; or
(G)a university
research foundation or veterinary medical foundation.
(9)Wildlife or
zoological veterinarianThe term wildlife or zoological
veterinarian means an individual who has received a doctoral degree in
veterinary medicine from an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine
and practices veterinary medicine as applied to wildlife populations—
(A)in their natural
habitat; or
(B)in captivity in
conservation centers including zoos, aquariums, wildlife refuges, and breeding
reserves.
5.Implementing authority
and cooperation between departments and agenciesThe Secretary of the Interior shall carry
out this Act. In carrying out this Act, the Secretary shall cooperate with the
heads of such other departments and agencies of the Federal Government as the
Secretary determines necessary.
<enum>I</enum><header>Wildlife and
zoological veterinary medicine workforce expansion</header>
<section id="HB9B4A4FF42B743EE86E2D9996E40AECE"><enum>101.</enum><header>Grants to
create positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians</header>
<subsection id="HEAE6415A1E13414691AD5DFB142C75E6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To create additional
clinical and research positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians, the
Secretary may award grants to wildlife or veterinary institutions that submit
to the Secretary a proposal designed to create such positions. A
proposal—</text>
<paragraph id="HF2B761428BEB4312B0976BDCD2AA397D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall be submitted
at such time, and in such form and manner, as the Secretary may require;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2D55A55814704B0A9D2C0D213BF9B0A2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall contain such
information as the Secretary may require, including a description of—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE6F91173E5B44D1F961C0FCC9501920A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>each such
position;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8584824E499E4EEAA9D3F12B6BAF3495"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the need of the
wildlife or veterinary institution for each such position;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H046E730CEB1748DEB7B500FA55735B5D"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">how each such position will advance the
conservation and management of wildlife or zoological populations; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCBA8531FC62B44AA853B49F8C4791B38"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">how the wildlife or veterinary institution
will use funds awarded under a grant.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB8868170B0054E3C8EC4A0295BA184DB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Award</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that, under this section,
proposals are rigorously reviewed and grants are competitively awarded based on
such considerations as the Secretary may determine necessary. Such
considerations shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HB197DFAE355A464BB5C68791253FA743"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the ability of a
wildlife or veterinary institution to describe and justify the need for each
position in its proposal under subsection (a)(2); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6192B69A776E462AA739F09D30CBD2FA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the ability of the
wildlife or veterinary institution to create such positions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDC7ADBAB81694C0AB4954DD8440DDFF0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Preference</header><text>In
awarding a grant under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to
wildlife or veterinary institutions that will create positions in areas of
need, including—</text>
<paragraph id="HAA0394A7AA934A028E6650A62ABE58F5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>wildlife disease
research;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H528FC9EEA41E4C1191EE151FC20C8568"><enum>(2)</enum><text>disease
surveillance;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H66821C9F98C840CC8443AE845025DAA0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>wildlife disease
training;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBBF70802B4BA4B4FB64C93A8D8691AAD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>ecology and
wildlife population management; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8FC2C10FB63E4BCD83694B95B20964B3"><enum>(5)</enum><text>conservation and
management of the health of endangered, threatened, and sensitive
species.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9E6500814B9144CD9B842C11B17D56C6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Amount of
grant</header><text>The amount of a grant made to a wildlife or veterinary
institution under this section shall be determined by the Secretary, taking
into account such factors as the Secretary may consider appropriate,
including—</text>
<paragraph id="H57972C8A98D347DDB1A12F6D173B890F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the contents of
the proposal submitted by the wildlife or veterinary institution under
subsection (a); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H36337380D80641FBA006DF9381128A5F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the number of
grants available to all wildlife or veterinary institutions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD0EBAC8E750C46B6BF4F34906DC2FF49"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts received under
a grant under this section shall only be used by a wildlife or veterinary
institution for purposes determined by the Secretary to be appropriate to
create and support positions created under the proposal submitted by the
wildlife or veterinary institution under subsection (a), including the payment
of—</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H938D7EF153564568BEB2718A4B2D57A4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>salaries for such
positions; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H483922CE5CAB4A09BFB89E8FD57E228D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>costs associated
with the acquisition of material and equipment necessary for the creation of
the additional positions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5B8DF0E999354F269A83D76E22D92890"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2013 through 2017. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are
authorized to remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HD53CF70EF68E43EDBCB007CCED552FB9"><enum>102.</enum><header>Loan repayment
program for veterinary students and veterinarians specializing in wildlife and
zoological populations</header>
<subsection id="H61FB47ED79A9470B8ACA7DD41C73DEA4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To expand the
workforce of wildlife and zoological veterinarians, the Secretary shall
establish a program, to be known as the <term>Wildlife and Zoological
Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program</term> to enter into agreements
with eligible individuals to make payments on their behalf for repayment of
their educational loans.</text>
</subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8103E807AB21441EA421F05BADD949CC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
individual</header><text>For purposes of this section, an individual shall be
treated as an eligible individual if the individual—</text>
<paragraph id="H0FFBF0FD80EB4695A49ABA30F0004E89"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is a United States
citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H06316ABB84A843D8B498E23A9FFA1359"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">either—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2C0F62C23E26437FA82D648E515D48F7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>has received, not
before the date that is 10 years prior to the date on which the individual
submits an application under paragraph (3)—</text>
<clause display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8F5BFE894CB347FEA8703244940B8438"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a doctoral degree
in veterinary medicine; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H65F9451A1A7A4F8198760A7ADD6FFF24"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a graduate degree in veterinary medicine,
providing that the individual received such degree after receiving a doctoral
degree in veterinary medicine;</text>
</clause><continuation-text continuation-text-level="subparagraph">that has
been approved by the Secretary for purposes of this section; or</continuation-text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA6BF0ED5CD91432E8B5387C28792067D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is enrolled in a
full-time or part-time program that—</text>
<clause id="H8797D65A91FE413A9A379CA6DC354B59"><enum>(i)</enum><text>leads to—</text>
<subclause display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2C7A1A6631744D78B74D2130F589765B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a doctoral degree
in veterinary medicine; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H492FA9F2C7A242E2B8DE2BC83D6E6AE6"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a graduate degree
in veterinary medicine, providing that the individual has received a doctoral
degree in veterinary medicine; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="HDFD40D320CD342CBB7DBEFD613F701B0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>has
been approved by the Secretary for purposes of this section; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF7BA6BD84EC54CC99576F60B6346F795"><enum>(3)</enum><text>has prepared and
submitted to the Secretary an application at such time and in such form and
manner as is specified by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H73D40ACF97874DD4A808AE02EF5F26D9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Agreement</header>
<paragraph id="HFEF8632E62F249EAA433CB0D94F8BC4E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No payment shall be
made on behalf of an eligible individual under the Wildlife and Zoological
Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program unless the eligible individual has
entered into an agreement with the Secretary under this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7BED05E3826147AC99B4DA00AF2F2A0E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An agreement under this subsection shall
contain—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1F658D86C2654882B529ABC27C6D69D6"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an agreement by the Secretary to make
payments under subsection (e); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H763508D71CC240329606B9D39BCE0723"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an agreement by the eligible
individual—</text>
<clause id="HEF177C3A9C174DFDBAAAC59D50C84F9C"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to serve for a period of no fewer than 4
consecutive years at a wildlife or veterinary institution as—</text>
<subclause id="H63089B3525314EF382FCF060EBA75574"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a
full-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian; or</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HC7DD97D9825A4A1281BD8CCF4EA8E528"><enum>(II)</enum><text>with the approval
of the Secretary, a part-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian, if no
full-time positions are available; and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H08F4D99F42CB4C2188523C8D908E5EFA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to complete the
service in clause (i) not later than 10 years after the later of the date on
which the eligible individual—</text>
<subclause id="H7B4E59E0B59943BAADFF629487134DFF"><enum>(I)</enum><text>receives a
doctoral or graduate degree in veterinary medicine under subsection (b)(2);
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H33A8A23E39D6451A995DBF8854813A05"><enum>(II)</enum><text>enters into the
agreement under subsection (a).</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HDD7B6BA6D37A4A2A9CF68DD3A152408B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Preference</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In making payments under this section, the
Secretary shall give preference to an eligible individual who—</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4045B919800A45C4B6DA37D795F044E5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>holds or is
pursuing a doctoral or graduate degree in veterinary medicine with a specialty
in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6419C2850CC940DBAD3E1994ECF22E4D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is currently
practicing wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA990CF4F02C9484BBAA4AD6F820C19EA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Payments</header>
<paragraph id="HFB0B00D1F5824E3E9A0190FFC473BF5E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Payments on behalf of
an eligible individual under this section shall include payment of the
principal and interest on the government loans of the eligible individual, to
the extent that the loans cover such expenses as are determined by the
Secretary to be associated with obtaining a doctoral or graduate degree in
veterinary medicine under subsection (b)(2), including—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H184E1E07A4274E628023EB9AF525604E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>tuition
expenses;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9614980FDD07475888AA61DF79E0719F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>reasonable living
expenses; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEC639CEB5E51464AAB4B06C8DE5E9506"><enum>(C)</enum><text>all other
reasonable educational expenses incurred by the grantee, including fees,
laboratory expenses, and expenses for books and equipment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA0052BBADDF44F5AA8B8984195590B83"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amount</header>
<subparagraph id="H04345E3E84464049B92CA1A7A024BCC3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the limitations in subparagraph (B), the
Secretary shall develop regulations to determine the amounts of payments for
each eligible individual under this section, considering factors
including—</text>
<clause id="HA5CAC0286C9646C7BF0F677882EBCC1B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
degree held or pursued by the eligible individual;</text>
</clause><clause id="H4CD540AFF468456DB704CCC26FA192EE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the
training programs in which the eligible individual has participated;</text>
</clause><clause id="H98D2E769658B4D129953C9D12BCF7D56"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the total loan
balance paid by the eligible individual;</text>
</clause><clause id="HDF7242D3B7DD40FCB5641A3C0FB155F9"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the
extent to which such determination affects the ability of the Secretary to
maximize the number of agreements that can be provided under this section from
the amounts appropriated for such agreements; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HD08A57C1602C4A179F95E492232FD2BA"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the
extent to which such determination provides an incentive to serve as a wildlife
or zoological veterinarian.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA04CD8090F6B4618A5856E0D60B71DCF"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>Payments
on behalf of an eligible individual under this section shall not exceed, for
each year of service under subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)—</text>
<clause id="H2E4B0605A5F74F81B156EF0E8E63DB0E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>$35,000 in
aggregate; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H412561C74C0849E5A3AE5FE07CEE2E16"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if
the total loans of the eligible individual are less than $140,000, an amount
that does not exceed an amount that is two-thirds of the eligible loan
balance.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H56F445793B4A4118AA79653CDCFAB7FC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Payment
schedule</header><text>The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the
holder of any loan for which payments are made to establish a schedule for
making payments under this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H74296183E1DF471FA13F4A8683E37A95"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Breach of
agreement</header>
<paragraph id="HBED026B25D5B456689F615B6539EEEAE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraphs
(2) and (3), in the case of any agreement entered into under subsection (a), an
eligible individual shall be liable to the Federal Government for an amount, as
determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the total amount of any payments
made by the Secretary on behalf of the eligible individual under this section,
and for interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as
determined by the Treasurer of the United States, if the eligible individual
fails to meet a term of the agreement in subsection (c)(2)(B).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H368B15D408F342928FDC0A1B0E4F9774"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Death</header><text>Any
obligation of an eligible individual under the Wildlife and Zoological
Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program for service or payment of damages
shall be cancelled upon the death of the eligible individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB3B5804EE3004BB0ACD27F21579A98B3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Waiver or
suspension of liability</header><text>The Secretary shall provide for the
partial or total waiver or suspension of liability under paragraph (1), or of
an obligation under subsection (c)(2), if—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H335DE2EBE76C42C68FE72216D6CC98E9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the eligible
individual is called to active duty in the Armed Forces of the United
States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB81E671277BB41C79C87712A490CC19E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>compliance by the
eligible individual with the agreement is impossible or would cause extreme
hardship to the eligible individual; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H59787BA9C3BD4C4C93153AAECD20DCEE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>enforcement of the
agreement with respect to the eligible individual would be
unconscionable.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA8F1BD0D449A47E9B01C09C9EDE0ADE8"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Date certain for
recovery</header><text>Any amount that the Federal Government is entitled to
recover under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the United States not later than 3
years after the date on which the United States becomes so entitled.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8A5CFDF5B53747FBBBAE4159CB9CA4CE"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Amounts
recovered under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Secretary for making
payments under this section and shall remain available for such purpose until
expended.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H681201E72E5E423BAC8BCE666EF78B5B"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prior to implementation of the Wildlife and
Zoological Veterinary Workforce Loan Repayment Program, the Secretary shall
establish, by regulation, procedures for determining the amount of the
repayment required under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEB27ED3FF44942B49757C9E9A1E8F1BF"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2013 through 2017. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are
authorized to remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H68E1B4690FD24603AAA8FC802B43C654"><enum>103.</enum><header>Scholarship
program for veterinary students specializing in wildlife and zoological
populations</header>
<subsection id="H17946218E61148618F9E10C6C12BD8C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To expand the
workforce of wildlife and zoological veterinarians, the Secretary shall
establish and carry out a program, to be known as the <term>Wildlife and
Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program</term>, under which the
Secretary shall enter into agreements with eligible students to award such
eligible students scholarships for serving as wildlife or zoological
veterinarians at wildlife or veterinary institutions upon graduation from an
accredited school or college of veterinary medicine.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7E333337EE2D40198E02AEFA5887F7C8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
student</header><text>For purposes of this section, an individual shall be
treated as an eligible student if the individual—</text>
<paragraph id="HD559B370BDC24D25B9BBFECD914108A8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is a United States
citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9A309CA0EFCA414BB109E0A3E9FF1DC7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is enrolled
full-time, or has been accepted for full-time enrollment, at an accredited
school or college of veterinary medicine;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H28AFD77D9E92457FB80F481EC1958AEF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>enrolls or plans
to enroll, at the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine in
paragraph (2), in a course of study or program that specializes or offers
courses in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine, or any other course of
study or program that has been approved by the Secretary for the purposes of
this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H73AFF7B6023B42998A84C3D0B9F96005"><enum>(4)</enum><text>has submitted to
the Secretary an application, and a written contract under subsection (d), at
such time and in such form and manner as is specified by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0BF94AB990364B528D2DC5C9D0D8A0C5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Award</header>
<paragraph id="H54E7ACE7EC214847A97FB3E9D2723F34"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No scholarship shall
be awarded to an eligible student under the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary
Workforce Scholarship Program until the Secretary has accepted the application
and written contract submitted by the eligible student under subsection
(b)(4).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8032B8D1162C44D0BB4A2E1F8EBA75D2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>The
Secretary shall provide prompt written notice to an individual upon the
acceptance by the Secretary, under paragraph (1), of a written contract.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9B215092102D4A5BBB7CE87B9478673D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Written
contract</header><text>A written contract between the Secretary and an eligible
student under this subsection shall contain—</text>
<paragraph id="H0012B5F8C3434C88932568226B563325"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an agreement by
the Secretary to provide the eligible student with a scholarship for each year
of the course of study or program described in subsection (b)(3), for a period
of no more than 4 years;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7D925AFE3E3B41E181FDD75EC7119A36"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an agreement by
the eligible student to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H270CC0BA95F7470AA48A6B7615DD560A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>accept the
scholarship;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4DC0938A732747C98D4BCE0FA116C943"><enum>(B)</enum><text>maintain
enrollment in the approved course of study or program described in subsection
(b)(3) until the individual completes the course of study or program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8C6F383D17ED4EE2AD7C87373D9974F6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>maintain, over the
course of the course of study or program described in subsection (b)(3), such
level of academic standing as is determined by the accredited school or college
of veterinary medicine, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to be
acceptable;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H37B4CDAAE34E4F5A994EDDF3F1257710"><enum>(D)</enum><text>commence service
at a wildlife or veterinary institution no later than 4 years after the date
the eligible student graduates from the accredited school or college of
veterinary medicine; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4A161D35F1D34A34BBF483555DDA9633"><enum>(E)</enum><text>serve at the
wildlife or veterinary institution in subparagraph (D) for a period of no fewer
than 4 consecutive years as—</text>
<clause id="HA3D5EA30A95E4497B1FC339CB63F6345"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
full-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H2343F058124A421E8F64365A54CFF47D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>with the approval
of the Secretary, a part-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian, if no
full-time positions are available;</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6859A14C8ADA41CC8B62E60B32FEBACB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a
provision that any financial obligation of the United States arising out of a
contract entered into under this section and any obligation of the individual
which is conditioned thereon, is contingent upon funds being appropriated for
scholarships under this section;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HACF46EEDCCD04B07A0D7A3A2ECD9FF21"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a
statement of the damages to which the United States shall be entitled, under
subsection (i), for a breach of contract; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H36140E0F6AE14F4299A0ACAE268F897D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>such other
statements of the rights and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual
as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7AE8D7E768EE4C038103EFDC194501FC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Amount of
scholarship</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to
an eligible student:</text>
<paragraph id="HB236B19C5C8E47C685BDD87E47167B90"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to the limitation in paragraph (2), in
determining the amount of a scholarship, the Secretary shall consider factors
including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H00F68F5C10C24188AC90D27986581E1F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the degree that
the eligible student is pursuing or plans to pursue;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H736B865E2DCE4F4883B02E8B7F4E5DA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>educational
costs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6829AE923A7541B2B6FF622FA895D5C5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the financial need
of the eligible student;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7BF2481C58474A19AC7C4B01C4042961"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the extent to
which such determination affects the ability of the Secretary to maximize the
number of scholarships that can be provided under this section from the amounts
appropriated for such scholarships; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0EC9D1AAC7A4F6EB1857CB062F6CAEA"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the extent to
which such determination provides an incentive to serve as a wildlife or
zoological veterinarian.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H27826E475AF64666A06D829F8100CA6C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
amount of a scholarship shall not exceed $35,000 for any school year.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA269A4D115C94414872E0D209DF87B48"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text>Amounts received under a scholarship under this section
shall be used to cover such expenses, with respect to an eligible student, as
are determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, including—</text>
<paragraph id="H0E31F60F7761483C9589202BFDB91135"><enum>(1)</enum><text>tuition
expenses;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1FBF4447BD24478685BB3BFA5A0FF37D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>reasonable living
expenses; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEA784BF64A3046CC892B0792B199D72E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>all other
reasonable educational expenses incurred by the eligible student, including
fees, laboratory expenses, and expenses for books and equipment.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4CD6DEAF1D634669AEA9525E172A9EDE"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Payments to
educational institution</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under
the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program, the
Secretary may contract with the accredited school or college of veterinary
medicine in which an eligible student is enrolled or has been accepted for
enrollment to make payments for tuition, reasonable living expenses, and other
reasonable educational expenses under subsection (f).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H84E13AE2AAEA48AD981A03463FF91F8D"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Breach of
contract</header>
<paragraph id="H7D06E66615584B1A8968BA1757CFEF47"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Liability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an
eligible student who has entered into a written contract with the Secretary
under this section shall be liable to the United States for the following
amounts:</text>
<subparagraph id="HC97DF3A3DEDE4C8D9EF52C6B653016CB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Failure to
complete course of study or program</header><text>The eligible student shall be
liable for the total amount that has been paid to the eligible student under
this section, and for interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing
rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States, if, under the course
of study or program under subsection (b)(2), the eligible student—</text>
<clause display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H545A3D18B0C847979DFC559C4BFCE8D1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>fails to maintain
an acceptable level of academic standing under subsection (d)(2)(C);</text>
</clause><clause id="HD060253655AD40BC87C6C6ECC3C268CD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is
dismissed from the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine for
disciplinary reasons; or</text>
</clause><clause id="H4D3C1DAE23234C5DB2B38FAF97741EEC"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>voluntarily
ceases to participate in the course of study or program before completion of
the course of study or program.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5809A1C9F933450C8869795D2773F345"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Failure to
complete service obligation</header><text>The eligible student shall be liable
for an amount, as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed the total amount
that has been awarded to the eligible student under this section, and for
interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by
the Treasurer of the United States, if the eligible student fails to begin or
complete the service obligation under subsection (d)(2)(D).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H404296BA1CA74698B01C133D5A2BADE5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Death</header><text>Any
obligation of an eligible student under the Wildlife and Zoological Veterinary
Workforce Scholarship Program for service or payment of damages shall be
cancelled upon the death of the eligible student.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H031A8AC10956441696B22C5E7F20F382"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Waiver or
suspension of liability</header><text>The Secretary shall provide for the
partial or total waiver or suspension of liability under paragraph (1), or of
an obligation under subsection (d)(2), if—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD6F9E28C76D64848B2CCF3EAAF0144B8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the eligible
student is called to active duty in the Armed Forces of the United
States;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4317B6FB339F4AD0AE74AE1D88E51F7E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>compliance by the
eligible student with the written contract is impossible or would cause extreme
hardship to the eligible student; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA3D3E75693FA40FEA065F84B1172BEF8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>enforcement of the
written contract with respect to the eligible student would be
unconscionable.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0420F40E13504B66BD2005FFD3DC0C6B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Date certain for
recovery</header><text>Any amount that the Federal Government is entitled to
recover under paragraph (1) shall be paid to the United States not later than 3
years after the date the United States becomes so entitled.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H48ED261CA3A64429B10DABD0F974E4E9"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Amounts
recovered under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Secretary for making
loan repayments under this section and shall remain available for such purpose
until expended.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6FB4B3AE780C4810BD77E4B492ED1393"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Prior to implementation of the Wildlife and
Zoological Veterinary Workforce Scholarship Program, the Secretary shall
establish, by regulation, procedures for determining the amount of the
repayment required under paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H56F91FA5CED24DDF8ADE1BCCC3457726"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2013 through 2017. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are
authorized to remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Wildlife and
zoological veterinary medicine educational development</header>
<section id="H7479650845804CD5B7C691FE3CB1FABA"><enum>201.</enum><header>Grants to
accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine for curricula in
wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine</header>
<subsection id="H72FE13E581F44DE59BAAD8C3F309F2FB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to award
grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine to develop or
improve new or existing curricula that specialize in wildlife or zoological
veterinary medicine, to be available to veterinary students in the final years
of a program for which the accredited schools or colleges of veterinary
medicine award a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0B8EE39698084DD4BB283274ED30272C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>To
be eligible for a grant under this section, an accredited school or college of
veterinary medicine shall submit to the Secretary a proposal—</text>
<paragraph id="H489B9F18860F4F57B298B29768901552"><enum>(1)</enum><text>at such time and
in such form and manner as the Secretary may require; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE5411A51050049DEA5A190587441426C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including a description of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD7A33EC5DAF24B6EA255B62774422F4B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the proposed
curriculum in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine under subsection (a);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9AFCECD00B104E4D827C8B74A645BB65"><enum>(B)</enum><text>how the accredited
school or college of veterinary medicine will use funds provided under the
grant.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HFF42A936D76F48C085B3FDB4BF956644"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Award</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that proposals are rigorously
reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9EE2DCBF508D4F6091740E0278470850"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Amount</header><text>The
Secretary shall determine the amount of a grant awarded to an accredited school
or college of veterinary medicine under this section, taking into account such
factors as the Secretary considers appropriate, including—</text>
<paragraph id="HE7659DE712F742999285EF279BEF1620"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the contents of
the proposal submitted by the eligible accredited school or college of
veterinary medicine under subsection (b); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7E21387E50564B51A08D0E2ADF4A4058"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the number of
grants available to all accredited schools or colleges of veterinary
medicine.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE742339664B141558E8DE519CBB185EA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts received under
a grant under this section shall be used to pay expenses related to the
curriculum described in subsection (b)(2)(A) that are determined by the
Secretary to be appropriate, including the expense of—</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HCA81B5A56B9A4F70B92345072658A5D0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>developing the
curriculum;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HEF58194D8BC74373A7E43E753E3D15EA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>paying for the
costs associated with the development of the curriculum, including faculty
salaries and the costs of acquisition of material and equipment; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFDE2D450BAC34E4FB181151BA1EFFE8D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>providing the
curriculum.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H62BF007E92F448F993F3811FF7B1BBB5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="H72CA8138544D475F93AAB357D214D559"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grantees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At the end of each calendar year, each
school that has received a grant under this section for such year shall submit
to the Secretary a report, in such form and manner and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, on the effectiveness of the
curriculum developed by the school.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5FA0D13FAB894A559C4ADEBEB69BFF2D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>Not
later than 6 months after completion of the pilot program established under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall evaluate the curriculum developed by each
school that has received a grant under this section and submit to Congress a
report on the pilot program—</text>
<subparagraph id="H810C9C623C1648AC9B1AEBC33EF23009"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in such form and
manner as Congress may require; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF77F7EAD36064B16AEC70082137568B2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>containing such
information as Congress may require, including—</text>
<clause id="H96DF8B496D6A407C96865CD686A7A42C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
names of the accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine that
received a grant under this section;</text>
</clause><clause id="HF27419473E944106B854094FD755C249"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the
number of students enrolled in each curriculum developed with grant
funds;</text>
</clause><clause id="H7E9DFF908F8648E8858057D9CC64275C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a
description of each curriculum developed with grant funds;</text>
</clause><clause id="H025FB92359C44BC79BA3C3302C07AFD4"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>an
assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HAB296093242D4505AD466FC656005557"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the
recommendations of the Secretary regarding the extension or expansion of the
pilot program.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4BEEB0B092BF4B31B49729827DDF28F3"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available
until expended.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H5701AE035BEC4596B29734723A8A00DE"><enum>202.</enum><header>Grants to
develop training programs in wildlife and zoological veterinary
medicine</header>
<subsection id="H7DFE8E39260C4E0882E065015ED6F26C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall
award competitive grants to eligible wildlife or veterinary institutions to
establish or expand, for traineeship candidates, training programs that will
enhance the ability of a trainee to practice as a wildlife or zoological
veterinarian, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. Such training
programs may include externship, internship, fellowship, or residency
programs.</text>
</subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H760F4E53948841E28B73419FF18BFF2B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
wildlife or veterinary institution</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible for a grant under this
section, a wildlife or veterinary institution shall submit to the Secretary a
proposal designed to create or expand one or more training programs for
traineeship candidates. The proposal—</text>
<paragraph id="H1D27522C20DA49C382B036BBDC1F88DB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall be submitted
at such time and in such form and manner as the Secretary may require;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA1136AC43C9646109C203FC78403A9E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall contain such
information as the Secretary may require, including a description of—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB343FEDDC3774B6A9D6B32DAE1A2C98B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>each training
program to be created or expanded;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H28011025A25C40C287D82440DF2031A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the skills to be
imparted by each training program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H85A843E39E1545AB95692F4C68B5F85D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>how the wildlife
or veterinary institution will use the funds provided under a grant; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4F1D98E03E1F4C7C81E49E47764EA146"><enum>(D)</enum><text>how each training
program will help a trainee advance conservation and management goals for
wildlife or zoological animal populations.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2E8EC2B7CAE54FC6810B3C1B9F611C70"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consideration of
proposals</header>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H708C35509D5D49CABFB2D957D47E73C1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Preference</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In awarding a grant under this section, the
Secretary shall give preference to an eligible wildlife or veterinary
institution offering a training program—</text>
<subparagraph id="H27C5C923FFB148E080EB5B4CEF35E999"><enum>(A)</enum><text>at rotating sites,
particularly in the case of a residency program; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9D0A68683A934907AAF877A78ED64DF9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>under which
trainees conduct research and teach veterinary students.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE6BE5EC371EB470CB35DA848DC7ADB20"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Procedures</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that proposals are rigorously
reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEE26E93D1F04438A889560B78E73423B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Traineeship
candidate</header><text>For purposes of this section, an individual shall be
treated as a traineeship candidate if the individual—</text>
<paragraph id="HC8A2E8471ED94D989E914031E94FC3C0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is a citizen of
the United States, a national, or a lawful permanent resident;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA73154453AA5478182B2EC13E161EF0A"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">expresses a profound interest in wildlife
or zoological veterinary medicine and a commitment to becoming a wildlife or
zoological veterinarian; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H19B5F2DD70D34C7A8FF6273900DD7781"><enum>(3)</enum><text>has submitted to a
wildlife or veterinary institution offering a training program under subsection
(a) an application for the training program containing such information as may
be required by the wildlife or veterinary institution.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H8B0B9557861C4819812000FC24A968A4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Financial
assistance under training program</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under a training program, a trainee shall,
for the duration of the training program, be provided with—</text>
<paragraph id="HFA1518943559483098A11039B53507C7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a stipend, in an amount based on criteria
to be determined by the wildlife or veterinary institution, including—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7F6FFB755B5648D1A6B4CB4469F9ADEB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the type and
length of the training program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H33E58E5217CE48D29812E6AED15128A3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the
responsibilities assigned to the trainee as part of the training
program;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H51DFEE08578F4751887FFBAA0BC6964E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the academic level
or degree held by the trainee; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H42B0A2BD06B44500A08DD443311CB0D6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the relevant
experience of the trainee; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H57347F1131CC43D1A99FDFCEBBDBA97D"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such other financial assistance as the
wildlife or veterinary institution determines necessary and is approved by the
Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H46634FF6CEF34E12A477787D971870F1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Approval of
placement under training program</header>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H329885CCB80C4E309FEC709671522FE2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>No traineeship candidate shall be placed in a training
program without the approval of the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDC41E37388314A578810C8112589DAAB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>A
traineeship candidate shall be informed of placement in a training program upon
approval by the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H895559830FC548829C8976F01C46ECF1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Amount of
grant</header><text>The Secretary shall determine the amount of a grant awarded
under this section for a training program, taking into account such factors as
the Secretary considers appropriate, including—</text>
<paragraph id="H79AA2145047D483FBD0DFC6E3811764F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the type of
training that the wildlife or veterinary institution desires to create or
expand;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H992E7D5466DA45C198D1C6BEC5E83273"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the contents of
the proposal submitted by the wildlife or veterinary institution under
subsection (b); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3AD94DB1FD7A48DE8B7846B727AF9154"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the number of
grants available to all wildlife or veterinary institutions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA323380E0BB74F0293C96DA26C1E22B3"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Use of grant
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Under this section,
amounts received under a grant shall be applied to such costs as the Secretary
considers appropriate for the planning, development, and operation of the
training program, including the costs associated with—</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H30EF418C8F8045AB8470A61FBAA85E57"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the development of
the curriculum to be used in the program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9C7E5C97F0464710A30AA0AD5E30E0EF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>practicum
experiences;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5E07B2BF03BF4C8D90BA03452E791FF3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the acquisition of
new equipment; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4FDAD72871B543C99C9D28FB7E90DE97"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the stipend and
other financial assistance provided to the trainee under subsection (e).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H445DA6CF737B450BBA5207859B67A6AD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available
until expended.</text>
</subsection></section>