(1) To implement this part 10, the council shall:
Pursuant to the criteria set forth in section 23-31-1006, determine the eligibility andqualifications of an applicant for loan repayment under the program;
With respect to the veterinary shortage areas that are in need of veterinary medicalservices:
Identify and designate the veterinary shortage areas that will participate in the program pursuant to the criteria established by the council as set forth in section 23-31-1007;
Establish a priority ranking for the designated veterinary shortage areas participatingin the program based on level of need; and
Annually update the list of designated veterinary shortage areas and the priorityrankings;
In accordance with the maximum amounts set forth in section 23-31-1009, determinethe amount of loan repayment money to which an applicant selected under the program is eligible, based on the unpaid amount of any outstanding education loan that meets the criteria set forth in section 23-31-1006 (2); and
Upon selecting an applicant, enter into a renewable contract with the selected applicant and the designated veterinary shortage area to which the selected applicant has been matched to provide loan repayment money on the selected applicant's behalf in exchange for the selected applicant's agreement to actively practice veterinary medicine in the veterinary shortage area.
(2) In furtherance of its duties under this part 10, the council may:
Receive and use money appropriated for or donated to the program to be used infurtherance of the program;
With respect to any contract that the council has entered into with a selected applicant and a designated veterinary shortage area under the program:
Enforce the contract; or
Cancel the contract for good cause based on a determination that the applicant is notcomplying with the terms of the contract;
Monitor federal programs that support the repayment of education loans incurred byveterinarians; and
Accept property from another entity to be used in furtherance of the program.
Source: L. 2017: Entire part added, (HB 17-1282), ch. 322, p. 1736, § 1, effective August 9.