,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bjii ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #d1 #bjai,mr4 ,hastings 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,kaptur1 ,mr4 ,cicilline1 ,mr4 ,cohen1 ,mr4 ,schrader1 ,mr4 ,vela1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,ms4 ,barragn1 ,mr4 ,soto1 ,mr4 ,lynch1 ,mr4 ,raskin1 and ,mr4 ,serrano7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to expand the workforce of veterinarians specialized in the care and conservation of wild animals and their ecosystems1 and to develop educational programs focused on wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be referred to as the ,wildlife ,veterinarians ,employment and ,training ,act or the ,wildlife ,,vet ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #c4 ,purposes4 ,sec4 #d4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #e4 ,implementing authority and cooperation between departments and agencies4 ,title ,i--,wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine workforce expansion ,sec4 #aja4 ,grants to create positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,loan repayment program for veterinary students and veterinarians specializing in wildlife and zoological populations4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,scholarship program for veterinary students specializing in wildlife and zoological populations4 ,title ,,ii--,wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine educational development ,sec4 #bja4 ,grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine for curricula in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,grants to develop training programs in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,fish and wildlife are important natural resources of the ,united ,states4 ,they belong to all citizens1 and are managed in perpetuity by ,state and ,federal conservation agencies1 often with significant assistance from universities1 zoos1 aquariums1 and nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations4 7#b7 ,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 zoos1 wildlife refuges1 breeding reserves1 and aquariums4 7#c7 ,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 habitats4 ,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 #bj1 #bjaj4 7#d7 ,according to the ,department of the ,interior1 wildlife disease expertise and resources are critical to protecting both human and animal life4 7#e7 ,wildlife veterinarians have been actively involved in preventing1 detecting1 and responding to such important exotic1 dangerous1 and zoonotic diseases as anthrax1 avian influenza1 brucellosis1 tuberculosis1 ,west ,nile virus1 ,,sars1 chronic wasting disease1 and foot and mouth disease4 7#f7 ,globalization1 climate change1 and wildlife habitat loss and alteration1 along with a growing interface among humans1 livestock1 and wildlife have increased the threat posed by emerging infectious diseases to humans1 domestic animals1 and wildlife4 7#g7 ,according to the ,february #bjji report by the ,government ,accountability ,office entitled ,veterinarian ,workforce3 ,actions ,are ,needed to ,ensure ,sufficient ,capacity for ,protecting ,public and ,animal ,health1 the ,nation is facing a growing shortage of veterinarians1 and the ,federal ,government may not have the necessary veterinarian workforce to control pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of disease4 7#h7 ,there is a shortage of positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians at the ,state1 ,federal1 nonprofit1 and university levels due to inadequate funding4 ,according to the ,american ,veterinary ,medical ,association 7,,avma71 less than one percent of ,,avma members identify themselves as wildlife or zoological veterinarians4 7#i7 ,according to the ,,avma1 a growing number of students enter veterinary schools with an interest in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine1 but choose different fields of study and practice due to the small number of positions available for wildlife and zoological veterinarians upon graduation4 7#aj7 ,veterinary students face large educational debt upon graduation4 ,according to the ,,avma1 graduating student loan debt averaged #adc1geg in #bjaf4 7#aa7 ,according to the ,american ,association of ,wildlife ,veterinarians 7,,aawv7 and ,national ,association of ,federal ,veterinarians 7,,nafv71 salaries for wildlife and zoological veterinarians are relatively low1 the second-to-lowest specialty1 compared to the average salaries of veterinarians in companion animal medicine4 ,lower salaries1 combined with high educational debt and the small number of positions available in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine1 discourage students from pursuing careers in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine4 7#ab7 ,according to the ,,aawv and ,,nafv1 most schools and colleges of veterinary medicine lack both a comprehensive curriculum and sufficient numbers of formal educational programs and internships specializing in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine to adequately prepare graduates for a competitive workplace4 7#ac7 ,according to the ,,avma1 while some training opportunities exist for aspiring wildlife and zoological veterinarians1 such opportunities are not available each year1 pay low salaries or stipends1 if any1 and are highly competitive4 #c4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to create new funded positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians2 7#b7 to limit the amount of educational debt for veterinary medicine students while providing incentives to study and practice wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine2 7#c7 to help schools and colleges of veterinary medicine develop or improve pilot curricula specializing in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine2 and 7#d7 to expand the number of training programs in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine for veterinary students4 #d4 ,definitions ,for purposes of this ,act1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,accredited school or college of veterinary medicine ,the term accredited school or college of veterinary medicine means an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja77 that provides an educational program for which the institution awards a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine4 7#b7 ,doctoral degree in veterinary medicine ,the term doctoral degree in veterinary medicine means a doctor of veterinary medicine or veterinary medical doctor from an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine4 7#c7 ,graduate degree in veterinary medicine ,the term graduate degree in veterinary medicine means a master's degree or ,ph4,d4 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 7#h77;,e74 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#e7 ,state or ,territory ,the term ,state or ,territory means each of the several ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 and each federally recognized ,indian tribe4 7#f7 ,veterinary medicine ,the term veterinary medicine means all branches of1 and specialties included within1 the practice of veterinary medicine1 including-- 7,a7 the diagnosis1 treatment1 correction1 change1 alleviation1 prevention1 management of1 or research on animal disease1 illness1 pain1 deformity1 defect1 injury1 or other physical1 dental1 or mental conditions2 and 7,b7 the management of ecosystems on which wildlife and zoological populations depend4 7#g7 ,wildlife ,the term wildlife means any member of the animal kingdom and includes mammals1 fish1 birds1 amphibians1 reptiles1 mollusks1 or arthropods4 ,such term does not include plant or plant matter or any other member of another kingdom4 7#h7 ,wildlife or veterinary institution ,the term wildlife or veterinary institution means-- 7,a7 any agency or department of a ,state or ,territory or of the ,federal ,government that employs wildlife or zoological veterinarians1 including a wildlife conservation or natural resource management agency2 7,b7 a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization2 7,c7 an accredited zoo or aquarium receiving peer-reviewed accreditation from a commissioned organization that heeds rigorous publicly available standards1 utilizes notable experts in the field to conduct comprehensive inspection and review1 and provides opportunity for public input2 7,d7 an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine2 7,e7 a public or nonprofit department of comparative medicine1 department of veterinary science1 department of the environment and natural resources1 school of public health1 or school of medicine that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the ,secretary of ,education2 7,f7 a ,state or ,territory1 national1 allied1 or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the ,american ,veterinary ,medical ,association2 or 7,g7 a university research foundation or veterinary medical foundation4 7#i7 ,wildlife or zoological veterinarian ,the 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-- 7,a7 in their natural habitat2 or 7,b7 in captivity in conservation centers including zoos1 aquariums1 wildlife refuges1 and breeding reserves4 #e4 ,implementing authority and cooperation between departments and agencies ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall carry out this ,act4 ,in carrying out this ,act1 the ,secretary shall cooperate with the heads of such other departments and agencies of the ,federal ,government as the ,secretary determines necessary4 ,i ,wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine workforce expansion #aja4 ,grants to create positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians 7a7 ,in general ,to create additional clinical and research positions for wildlife and zoological veterinarians1 the ,secretary may award grants to wildlife or veterinary institutions that submit to the ,secretary a proposal designed to create such positions4 ,a proposal-- 7#a7 shall be submitted at such time1 and in such form and manner1 as the ,secretary may require2 and 7#b7 shall contain such information as the ,secretary may require1 including a description of-- 7,a7 each such position2 7,b7 the need of the wildlife or veterinary institution for each such position2 7,c7 how each such position will advance the conservation and management of wildlife or zoological populations2 and 7,d7 how the wildlife or veterinary institution will use funds awarded under a grant4 7b7 ,award ,the ,secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that1 under this section1 proposals are rigorously reviewed and grants are competitively awarded based on such considerations as the ,secretary may determine necessary4 ,such considerations shall include-- 7#a7 the ability of a wildlife or veterinary institution to describe and justify the need for each position in its proposal under subsection 7a77#b72 and 7#b7 the ability of the wildlife or veterinary institution to create such positions4 7c7 ,preference ,in awarding a grant under this section1 the ,secretary shall give preference to wildlife or veterinary institutions that will create positions in areas of need1 including-- 7#a7 wildlife disease research2 7#b7 disease surveillance2 7#c7 wildlife disease training2 7#d7 ecology and wildlife population management2 and 7#e7 conservation and management of the health of endangered1 threatened1 and sensitive species4 7d7 ,amount of grant ,the amount of a grant made to a wildlife or veterinary institution under this section shall be determined by the ,secretary1 taking into account such factors as the ,secretary may consider appropriate1 including-- 7#a7 the contents of the proposal submitted by the wildlife or veterinary institution under subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 the number of grants available to all wildlife or veterinary institutions4 7e7 ,use of funds ,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 7a71 including the payment of-- 7#a7 salaries for such positions2 and 7#b7 costs associated with the acquisition of material and equipment necessary for the creation of the additional positions4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 ,amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended4 #ajb4 ,loan repayment program for veterinary students and veterinarians specializing in wildlife and zoological populations 7a7 ,in general ,to expand the workforce of wildlife and zoological veterinarians1 the ,secretary shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,loan ,repayment ,program to enter into agreements with eligible individuals to make payments on their behalf for repayment of their educational loans4 7b7 ,eligible individual ,for purposes of this section1 an individual shall be treated as an eligible individual if the individual-- 7#a7 is a ,united ,states citizen1 national1 or lawful permanent resident2 7#b7 either-- 7,a7 has received1 not before the date that is #aj years prior to the date on which the individual submits an application under paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine2 or 7ii7 a graduate degree in veterinary medicine1 providing that the individual received such degree after receiving a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine1 that has been approved by the ,secretary for purposes of this section2 or 7,b7 is enrolled in a full-time or part-time program that-- 7i7 leads to-- 7,i7 a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine2 or 7,,ii7 a graduate degree in veterinary medicine1 providing that the individual has received a doctoral degree in veterinary medicine2 and 7ii7 has been approved by the ,secretary for purposes of this section2 and 7#c7 has prepared and submitted to the ,secretary an application at such time and in such form and manner as is specified by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,agreement 7#a7 ,in general ,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 subsection4 7#b7 ,contents ,an agreement under this subsection shall contain-- 7,a7 an agreement by the ,secretary to make payments under subsection 7e72 and 7,b7 an agreement by the eligible individual-- 7i7 to serve for a period of no fewer than #d consecutive years at a wildlife or veterinary institution as-- 7,i7 a full-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian2 or 7,,ii7 with the approval of the ,secretary1 a part-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian1 if no full-time positions are available2 and 7ii7 to complete the service in clause 7i7 not later than #aj years after the later of the date on which the eligible individual-- 7,i7 receives a doctoral or graduate degree in veterinary medicine under subsection 7b77#b72 and 7,,ii7 enters into the agreement under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,preference ,in making payments under this section1 the ,secretary shall give preference to an eligible individual who-- 7#a7 holds or is pursuing a doctoral or graduate degree in veterinary medicine with a specialty in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine2 or 7#b7 is currently practicing wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine4 7e7 ,payments 7#a7 ,in general ,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 individual1 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 7b77#b71 including-- 7,a7 tuition expenses2 7,b7 reasonable living expenses2 and 7,c7 all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by the grantee1 including fees1 laboratory expenses1 and expenses for books and equipment4 7#b7 ,amount 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to the limitations in subparagraph 7,b71 the ,secretary shall develop regulations to determine the amounts of payments for each eligible individual under this section1 considering factors including-- 7i7 the degree held or pursued by the eligible individual2 7ii7 the training programs in which the eligible individual has participated2 7iii7 the total loan balance paid by the eligible individual2 7iv7 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 agreements2 and 7v7 the extent to which such determination provides an incentive to serve as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian4 7,b7 ,limitations ,payments on behalf of an eligible individual under this section shall not exceed1 for each year of service under subsection 7c77#b77;,b77i7-- 7i7 #ce1jjj in aggregate2 or 7ii7 if the total loans of the eligible individual are less than #adj1jjj1 an amount that does not exceed an amount that is two-thirds of the eligible loan balance4 7#c7 ,payment schedule ,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 subsection4 7f7 ,breach of agreement 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 in the case of any agreement entered into under subsection 7a71 an eligible individual shall be liable to the ,federal ,government for an amount1 as determined by the ,secretary1 not to exceed the total amount of any payments made by the ,secretary on behalf of the eligible individual under this section1 and for interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate1 as determined by the ,treasurer of the ,united ,states1 if the eligible individual fails to meet a term of the agreement in subsection 7c77#b77;,b74 7#b7 ,death ,any obligation of an eligible individual under the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,loan ,repayment ,program for service or payment of damages shall be canceled upon the death of the eligible individual4 7#c7 ,waiver or suspension of liability ,the ,secretary shall provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of liability under paragraph 7#a71 or of an obligation under subsection 7c77#b71 if-- 7,a7 the eligible individual is called to active duty in the ,armed ,forces of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 compliance by the eligible individual with the agreement is impossible or would cause extreme hardship to the eligible individual2 or 7,c7 enforcement of the agreement with respect to the eligible individual would be unconscionable4 7#d7 ,date certain for recovery ,any amount that the ,federal ,government is entitled to recover under paragraph 7#a7 shall be paid to the ,united ,states not later than #c years after the date on which the ,united ,states becomes so entitled4 7#e7 ,availability ,amounts recovered under paragraph 7#a7 shall be available to the ,secretary for making payments under this section and shall remain available for such purpose until expended4 7#f7 ,regulations ,prior to implementation of the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,loan ,repayment ,program1 the ,secretary shall establish1 by regulation1 procedures for determining the amount of the repayment required under paragraph 7#a74 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 ,amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended4 #ajc4 ,scholarship program for veterinary students specializing in wildlife and zoological populations 7a7 ,in general ,to expand the workforce of wildlife and zoological veterinarians1 the ,secretary shall establish and carry out a program1 to be known as the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,scholarship ,program1 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 medicine4 7b7 ,eligible student ,for purposes of this section1 an individual shall be treated as an eligible student if the individual-- 7#a7 is a ,united ,states citizen1 national1 or a lawful permanent resident2 7#b7 is enrolled full-time1 or has been accepted for full-time enrollment1 at an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine2 7#c7 enrolls or plans to enroll1 at the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine in paragraph 7#b71 in a course of study or program that specializes or offers courses in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine1 or any other course of study or program that has been approved by the ,secretary for the purposes of this section2 and 7#d7 has submitted to the ,secretary an application1 and a written contract under subsection 7d71 at such time and in such form and manner as is specified by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,award 7#a7 ,in general ,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 7b77#d74 7#b7 ,notice ,the ,secretary shall provide prompt written notice to an individual upon the acceptance by the ,secretary1 under paragraph 7#a71 of a written contract4 7d7 ,written contract ,a written contract between the ,secretary and an eligible student under this subsection shall contain-- 7#a7 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 7b77#c71 for a period of no more than #d years2 7#b7 an agreement by the eligible student to-- 7,a7 accept the scholarship2 7,b7 maintain enrollment in the approved course of study or program described in subsection 7b77#c7 until the individual completes the course of study or program2 7,c7 maintain1 over the course of the course of study or program described in subsection 7b77#c71 such level of academic standing as is determined by the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine1 under regulations prescribed by the ,secretary1 to be acceptable2 7,d7 commence service at a wildlife or veterinary institution no later than #d years after the date the eligible student graduates from the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine2 and 7,e7 serve at the wildlife or veterinary institution in subparagraph 7,d7 for a period of no fewer than #d consecutive years as-- 7i7 a full-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian2 or 7ii7 with the approval of the ,secretary1 a part-time wildlife or zoological veterinarian1 if no full-time positions are available2 7#c7 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 thereon1 is contingent upon funds being appropriated for scholarships under this section2 7#d7 a statement of the damages to which the ,united ,states shall be entitled1 under subsection 7i71 for a breach of contract2 and 7#e7 such other statements of the rights and liabilities of the ,secretary and of the individual as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this title4 7e7 ,amount of scholarship ,with respect to an eligible student3 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to the limitation in paragraph 7#b71 in determining the amount of a scholarship1 the ,secretary shall consider factors including-- 7,a7 the degree that the eligible student is pursuing or plans to pursue2 7,b7 educational costs2 7,c7 the financial need of the eligible student2 7,d7 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 scholarships2 and 7,e7 the extent to which such determination provides an incentive to serve as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian4 7#b7 ,limitation ,the amount of a scholarship shall not exceed #ce1jjj for any school year4 7f7 ,use of funds ,amounts received under a scholarship under this section shall be used to cover such expenses1 with respect to an eligible student1 as are determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate1 including-- 7#a7 tuition expenses2 7#b7 reasonable living expenses2 and 7#c7 all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by the eligible student1 including fees1 laboratory expenses1 and expenses for books and equipment4 7g7 ,payments to educational institution ,under the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,scholarship ,program1 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 tuition1 reasonable living expenses1 and other reasonable educational expenses under subsection 7f74 7h7 ,breach of contract 7#a7 ,liability ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 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 amounts3 7,a7 ,failure to complete course of study or program ,the eligible student shall be liable for the total amount that has been paid to the eligible student under this section1 and for interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate1 as determined by the ,treasurer of the ,united ,states1 if1 under the course of study or program under subsection 7b77#b71 the eligible student-- 7i7 fails to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing under subsection 7d77#b77;,c72 7ii7 is dismissed from the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine for disciplinary reasons2 or 7iii7 voluntarily ceases to participate in the course of study or program before completion of the course of study or program4 7,b7 ,failure to complete service obligation ,the eligible student shall be liable for an amount1 as determined by the ,secretary1 not to exceed the total amount that has been awarded to the eligible student under this section1 and for interest on such amount at the maximum legal prevailing rate1 as determined by the ,treasurer of the ,united ,states1 if the eligible student fails to begin or complete the service obligation under subsection 7d77#b77;,d74 7#b7 ,death ,any obligation of an eligible student under the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,scholarship ,program for service or payment of damages shall be canceled upon the death of the eligible student4 7#c7 ,waiver or suspension of liability ,the ,secretary shall provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of liability under paragraph 7#a71 or of an obligation under subsection 7d77#b71 if-- 7,a7 the eligible student is called to active duty in the ,armed ,forces of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 compliance by the eligible student with the written contract is impossible or would cause extreme hardship to the eligible student2 or 7,c7 enforcement of the written contract with respect to the eligible student would be unconscionable4 7#d7 ,date certain for recovery ,any amount that the ,federal ,government is entitled to recover under paragraph 7#a7 shall be paid to the ,united ,states not later than #c years after the date the ,united ,states becomes so entitled4 7#e7 ,availability ,amounts recovered under paragraph 7#a7 shall be available to the ,secretary for making loan repayments under this section and shall remain available for such purpose until expended4 7#f7 ,regulations ,prior to implementation of the ,wildlife and ,zoological ,veterinary ,workforce ,scholarship ,program1 the ,secretary shall establish1 by regulation1 procedures for determining the amount of the repayment required under paragraph 7#a74 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #c1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 ,amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended4 ,,ii ,wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine educational development #bja4 ,grants to accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine for curricula in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 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 medicine1 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 medicine4 7b7 ,eligibility ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine shall submit to the ,secretary a proposal-- 7#a7 at such time and in such form and manner as the ,secretary may require2 and 7#b7 containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including a description of-- 7,a7 the proposed curriculum in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine under subsection 7a72 and 7,b7 how the accredited school or college of veterinary medicine will use funds provided under the grant4 7c7 ,award ,the ,secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that proposals are rigorously reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded4 7d7 ,amount ,the ,secretary shall determine the amount of a grant awarded to an accredited school or college of veterinary medicine under this section1 taking into account such factors as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 including-- 7#a7 the contents of the proposal submitted by the eligible accredited school or college of veterinary medicine under subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 the number of grants available to all accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine4 7e7 ,use of grant funds ,amounts received under a grant under this section shall be used to pay expenses related to the curriculum described in subsection 7b77#b77;,a7 that are determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate1 including the expense of-- 7#a7 developing the curriculum2 7#b7 paying for the costs associated with the development of the curriculum1 including faculty salaries and the costs of acquisition of material and equipment2 and 7#c7 providing the curriculum4 7f7 ,reports 7#a7 ,grantees ,at the end of each calendar year1 each school that has received a grant under this section for such year shall submit to the ,secretary a report1 in such form and manner and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 on the effectiveness of the curriculum developed by the school4 7#b7 ,secretary ,not later than #f months after completion of the pilot program established under subsection 7a71 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-- 7,a7 in such form and manner as ,congress may require2 and 7,b7 containing such information as ,congress may require1 including-- 7i7 the names of the accredited schools and colleges of veterinary medicine that received a grant under this section2 7ii7 the number of students enrolled in each curriculum developed with grant funds2 7iii7 a description of each curriculum developed with grant funds2 7iv7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program2 and 7v7 the recommendations of the ,secretary regarding the extension or expansion of the pilot program4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 ,amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended4 #bjb4 ,grants to develop training programs in wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award competitive grants to eligible wildlife or veterinary institutions to establish or expand1 for traineeship candidates1 training programs that will enhance the ability of a trainee to practice as a wildlife or zoological veterinarian1 as determined by the ,secretary of the ,interior4 ,such training programs may include externship1 internship1 fellowship1 or residency programs4 7b7 ,eligible wildlife or veterinary institution ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 a wildlife or veterinary institution shall submit to the ,secretary a proposal designed to create or expand one or more training programs for traineeship candidates4 ,the proposal-- 7#a7 shall be submitted at such time and in such form and manner as the ,secretary may require2 and 7#b7 shall contain such information as the ,secretary may require1 including a description of-- 7,a7 each training program to be created or expanded2 7,b7 the skills to be imparted by each training program2 7,c7 how the wildlife or veterinary institution will use the funds provided under a grant2 and 7,d7 how each training program will help a trainee advance conservation and management goals for wildlife or zoological animal populations4 7c7 ,consideration of proposals 7#a7 ,preference ,in awarding a grant under this section1 the ,secretary shall give preference to an eligible wildlife or veterinary institution offering a training program-- 7,a7 at rotating sites1 particularly in the case of a residency program2 and 7,b7 under which trainees conduct research and teach veterinary students4 7#b7 ,procedures ,the ,secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that proposals are rigorously reviewed and that grants are competitively awarded4 7d7 ,traineeship candidate ,for purposes of this section1 an individual shall be treated as a traineeship candidate if the individual-- 7#a7 is a citizen of the ,united ,states1 a national1 or a lawful permanent resident2 7#b7 expresses a profound interest in wildlife or zoological veterinary medicine and a commitment to becoming a wildlife or zoological veterinarian2 and 7#c7 has submitted to a wildlife or veterinary institution offering a training program under subsection 7a7 an application for the training program containing such information as may be required by the wildlife or veterinary institution4 7e7 ,financial assistance under training program ,under a training program1 a trainee shall1 for the duration of the training program1 be provided with-- 7#a7 a stipend1 in an amount based on criteria to be determined by the wildlife or veterinary institution1 including-- 7,a7 the type and length of the training program2 7,b7 the responsibilities assigned to the trainee as part of the training program2 7,c7 the academic level or degree held by the trainee2 and 7,d7 the relevant experience of the trainee2 and 7#b7 such other financial assistance as the wildlife or veterinary institution determines necessary and is approved by the ,secretary4 7f7 ,approval of placement under training program 7#a7 ,in general ,no traineeship candidate shall be placed in a training program without the approval of the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,notice ,a traineeship candidate shall be informed of placement in a training program upon approval by the ,secretary4 7g7 ,amount of grant ,the ,secretary shall determine the amount of a grant awarded under this section for a training program1 taking into account such factors as the ,secretary considers appropriate1 including-- 7#a7 the type of training that the wildlife or veterinary institution desires to create or expand2 7#b7 the contents of the proposal submitted by the wildlife or veterinary institution under subsection 7b72 and 7#c7 the number of grants available to all wildlife or veterinary institutions4 7h7 ,use of grant funds ,under this section1 amounts received under a grant shall be applied to such costs as the ,secretary considers appropriate for the planning1 development1 and operation of the training program1 including the costs associated with-- 7#a7 the development of the curriculum to be used in the program2 7#b7 practicum experiences2 7#c7 the acquisition of new equipment2 and 7#d7 the stipend and other financial assistance provided to the trainee under subsection 7e74 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe4 ,amounts appropriated under this subsection are authorized to remain available until expended4