Committee unanimously sends bill to sunset veterinary pharmacy advisory committee

The House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Water Committee advanced a bill to sunset a long-idle advisory committee that reviewed veterinary pharmaceutical concerns.

Representative Lindsay, a co-prime sponsor, told the committee that the advisory committee was created nearly a decade ago after a single enforcement action but has not had referrals from the pharmacy board in almost five years. "Since this pharmacy board has referred no cases to the advisory committee in almost 5 years ... the General Assembly should sunset this advisory committee," Lindsay said.

Monica Sutherland, policy analyst with the Division of Professions and Occupations, attended for questions; there were no objections during the committee’s brief question-and-answer period. Sponsors said the state can retain experts when necessary, and that the advisory committee no longer appears to serve an ongoing role.

Vote: The measure was moved and seconded and passed on a unanimous roll call (12–0); it will go to the Committee of the Whole. No amendments were adopted during the hearing.